The new smart tachographs are on their way - but first: 'transitional tachographs'
From August 21, 2023 onwards, all newly registered vehicles must be installed with a new intelligent tachograph - generation 2 (SMT2). The new intelligent tachographs will include a GNSS tracker that automatically detects border crossings and allows for real-time transmission of information to the control authorities. Furthermore, SMT2 will also have better security against GNSS jamming and spoofing attacks by using Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) from Galileo.
SMT2 will record the vehicle's position during loading and unloading and will be used to enforce cabotage and posting rules.
However, there were technical and legal uncertainties due to the delay of the satellite signals used to authenticate the positions recorded by the tachograph. This is the problem with the Galileo satellite navigation system with the OSNMA authentication that is currently being implemented. To 'authenticate' the GNSS positions recorded by G2V2 tachographs, manufacturers and companies must use the OSNMA service. Unfortunately, it is not possible to complete the OSNMA service by August 21, 2023. As a result, all newly registered vehicles must be installed with transitional tachographs.
Although the OSNMA service is not available yet, it is expected that its completion will take place by the end of 2023. Therefore, the new tachographs will be able to use this authentication service at the earliest in April 2024.
To ensure that tachographs are authenticated and operated consistently before and after OSNMA is launched, the European Commission has designed transitional measures to keep pace with the tachograph replacement schedule. A transitional tachograph will not require approval until OSNMA is available, so each border crossing will be marked as "approved". According to the European Commission, transitional tachograph data will be fully reliable and have the same legal value as all other tachograph data. This data will be recognized by the control authorities (despite the absence of formal authentication). For the carrier and driver, therefore, nothing will change at the moment due to the delay. After the end of the transition period, tachographs will need to be updated to activate the OSNMA service.
Updating the transitional tachograph
All tachographs installed between August 2023 and April 2024 will not require replacement, but only authorized service providers will be able to update the system in the tachograph. Companies owning transitional tachographs will have time to do this update until 31 March 2026. It is recommended that the software update takes place at the latest at the first calibration of the VU after the end of the transitional period. The cost of this update is not yet clear.
Timetable for the replacement of the tachographs:
Newly registered vehicles with smart tachograph generation 2
From August 21, 2023
Retrofitting of first generation analogue and digital tachographs (non-smart)
By 31 December 2024 at the latest
By August 19, 2025 at the latest
Update of transitional tachographs to get the OSNMA service
Until March 31, 2026
Latest version of smart tachograph generation 2 required in all vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons
By July 1, 2026 at the latest
Read more about tachographs here