Tachographs — Regulation (EU) 165/2014
12 July 2026 · EN · NL · DE · FR
Summary
Governs the construction, installation, use and inspection of tachographs in road transport, including the smart tachograph generations used to enforce driving-time and posting rules across borders.
Frequently asked questions
What does Regulation (EU) 165/2014 actually regulate?
It sets the rules for how tachographs must be built, installed, used and inspected in road transport. This covers the technical requirements for the devices themselves as well as operational obligations for drivers and companies, ensuring the equipment reliably records driving time and other relevant activity data across the EU.
What is the smart tachograph and why was it introduced?
The smart tachograph refers to successive generations of tachograph technology introduced under this regulation. These devices use enhanced features, including satellite positioning, to make records more tamper resistant and easier to check remotely, supporting more effective cross border enforcement of driving-time rules.
Does this regulation apply only to driving time enforcement?
No, its scope extends beyond driving time. The regulation also supports enforcement of posting of workers rules in road transport, since accurate tachograph data helps authorities verify where and when a driver was working, which is relevant for cross border posting compliance checks.
Who is affected by the tachograph rules in this regulation?
Anyone involved in road transport operations using vehicles fitted with tachographs is affected, including drivers who must use the equipment correctly, transport companies responsible for installation and maintenance, and inspection bodies that check compliance during roadside or company-based controls.
Official sources
- Official source ↗ · eur-lex.europa.eu
- Smart Tachograph enforcement and retrofit phases (European Commission) ↗ · transport.ec.europa.eu