Tachographs

Light commercial vehicles weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes that are used for international goods transport have been required to have a tachograph installed since 1 July. This rule does not apply to private vehicles or tradespeople transporting building materials. Tachographs record driving and rest times to improve road safety and reduce unfair competition in the transport sector, in line with European regulations.[1]

The Customs and Excise Agency has announced that it will begin targeted checks starting 1 August to enforce these new requirements. In preparation, the Customs service, together with the Ministry of Mobility, held an information session on 16 March and participated in the annual general meeting of the Groupement du transport. Despite these outreach efforts, the Customs Agency notes it is still receiving numerous enquiries about the new rules, with many companies and drivers uncertain about whether their journeys require a tachograph.[1]

Although the legislation itself dates back to a 2006 regulation, implementation is proving challenging for some businesses. A vehicle rental company told RTL they had not yet managed to equip their entire fleet with tachographs, citing high current demand. By contrast, a major European delivery firm reported that its fleet is already fully compliant. Both firms, as well as the Groupement du transport and the Customs Agency, say they have not observed any problems with cross-border goods transport since the rules came into effect.[1]

The regulation is from 2006. The requirement started 1 July. The checks start 1 August. One month. The legislation is 20 years old. The implementation is one month old. The companies are calling. The drivers are uncertain. The rental company could not equip the fleet. The delivery company is fully compliant. The Customs Agency held an information session in March. The Customs Agency is still receiving enquiries in July. The rule applies to international goods transport. The rule does not apply to private vehicles. The rule does not apply to tradespeople transporting building materials. The rule applies to 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes. The tachograph records driving and rest times. The driving and rest times are for road safety. The road safety is for everyone. The tachograph is in the vehicle. The checks start in five days.[1]