Annika Nestler
Smart Tacho already compulsory in newly registered commercial vehicles since 2019
NEW from 2023: New vehicles need Smart tachograph version 2
Deadline:
21 August 2023
Legal basis
Regulation EU No. 165/2014 / Regulation (EU) No. 2021/1228
What is new?
❯ New functions: OSMNA – Open Service Navigation Message Authentication enables recording of border crossings (expected only from 2024 onwards)
❯ Bluetooth integrated for hardware-free data download (not expected to be usable until 2024)
❯ Encryption and download: Download keys and remote download must receive update (as of now)
IWithin the framework of the EU Mobility Package and in particular the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1228, the European Commission also defined the further procedure regarding the intelligent tachograph. This is connected with a deadline that transport companies and hauliers should have on their radar: From 21 August 2023, the installation of the smart tachograph version 2 in newly registered commercial vehicles from 3.5 t is mandatory!
Due to the supply shortages of the new digital tachograph version 2, the EU Commission has granted a grace period. Member states can give time to retrofit until 18 August 2025 – Attention: This only applies to heavy commercial vehicles newly registered between 21 August 2023 and 31 December 2023, in national and international traffic.
Source and more information: Press release of the EU
The smart tachograph version 2 has functional innovations that are intended to provide better protection against manipulation, enable more efficient controls and make cabotage journeys and employee dispatches more traceable.
The most important thing right at the beginning: The tachographs of the 2nd generation version 2 cannot be read out with the existing download keys or remote readout hardware! In order for these to be able to handle the data containers from the intelligent tachographs, they require an update, which in most cases is subject to a charge, or it is even necessary to purchase new hardware.
Find out from your provider in good time whether their hardware is Smart Tacho V2-ready! This is the only way to comply with your legal obligations and not risk fines.
By the way, DAKO’s readout products have already been completely adapted to the new data structure, both the DAKO TachoKEY incl. App and the DAKO TachoStation as well as the hardware LINK 740 for remote download. » to the DAKO shop
The Galileo satellite navigation system (GNSS), which is already available in the Smart Tacho version 1, is extended by a new security signal. The so-called OSMNA (Open Service Navigation Message Authentication) will also automatically record the vehicle position when crossing the border. This improves the documentation of cabotage journeys and driver dispatches and makes manipulation more difficult.
However, the new function will probably not be available by the deadline of 21 August 2023, but will be introduced via an update, the date of which is not yet known. Initially, the country entry on the tachograph must still be done manually! The entry of the location at the beginning and end of a working day remains unaffected and must still be entered by the driver (supported by a current position suggestion from the tachograph).
Already known from the predecessor model is the standardised ITS interface (Intelligent Transportation System). This is no longer optional, but mandatory. Via the interface, it is now possible to securely transmit a variety of individual data from the tachograph to third-party telematics systems, for example. This includes position data, activity and driving time data or vehicle data such as brake pedal use.
The Gen2V2 tachograph now also communicates via Bluetooth, so that it should be possible to read out data via apps, for example, without a download key. However, this function will probably only be available in the course of 2024. DAKO is in the process of developing an app that is capable of reading out the tachograph and driver card via Bluetooth in order to make the function directly available after the manufacturer updates the Smart Tacho version 2.
The new devices can record more data than before. On the one hand, this concerns the activity recordings of the driver card – the temporal scope of the recording increases here from 28 to 56 days (reason: extension of the control period). The use of this function requires the change to new driver cards with increased memory capacity. However, a compulsory exchange of driver cards is not planned, already existing driver cards and company cards remain valid and also function in the Smart Tachos version 2.
New driver and company cards will be issued from August 2023, which are also backwards compatible with older tachograph models. New workshop cards will be available from July 2023.
In addition, the new tachographs also record the type of cargo (goods/people).
Attention: Drivers must now enter the location manually during loading and unloading operations! The tacho and driver card store the entered position and time.
The current system of remote data retrieval has been optimised. This is intended to facilitate checks and enable a pre-selection of conspicuous vehicles. In future, more data can be transmitted, such as driving times. In detail these are:
When inserting the driver card for the first time, drivers still have to decide whether they give their consent to the transfer of personal data. This only concerns the transmission to third party systems, authorities are legally allowed to read this data. However, a remote control without stopping the vehicle is still not possible, this is only about efficiency and pre-selection for controls. This benefits drivers and companies that comply strictly with the law, because then it is less likely that they will have to stop for a check.
The deadline of 21 August 2023 applies to newly registered commercial vehicles over 3.5 t from this date. Any new vehicle you buy after this date will have a 2nd generation version 2 tachograph.
Yes, but only in cross-border traffic. Gradually, older vehicles in this area must also be equipped with the new tachographs. By 31 December 2024, all vehicles > 3.5 t with analogue or digital tachographs in cross-border traffic must be equipped with the Gen2V2 tachograph. Commercial vehicles over 3.5 t with Smart tachographs version 1 have a retrofitting obligation until 19 August 2025.
The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1228 also stipulated that commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 t in cross-border traffic must also have smart tachographs version 2. Here, the deadline is 1 July 2026.
Vehicles that only drive domestically are not affected for the time being.
In June, the Federal Motor Transport Authority already granted type approval for the VDO DTCO 4.1, which is a smart tachograph version 2. It is therefore quite possible that version 2 smart tachographs will already be installed in new vehicles before the deadline. Definitely, transport companies will have to expect them in newly registered vehicles from 21 August 2023.
As an entrepreneur with a fleet of vehicles or as a self-driving entrepreneur in the commercial sector, you must ensure that you comply with your legal obligations at all times. That is why it is enormously important to find out about the new devices now and, above all, to check the readout hardware. Providers of download keys and other readout hardware and software should be able to provide information on when an update for the devices will be available. There is no question that an update is necessary. DAKO’s readout range is prepared for the new Smart Tachos V2, the DAKO TachoKEY is Smart Tacho V2-ready.
