Approved tachograph centre special notice 02-26
Published 26 May 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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1. Zero emission vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes
The Goods Vehicles (Testing, Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 have now been laid and will come into force on 1 June 2026. These amendments make changes to the rules for zero emission vehicles with a gross weight between 3,501kg and 4,250kg.
Tachograph rules do not apply to zero emission goods vehicles (such as electric vans or trucks) when they are used to carry goods for a business and their total permitted weight, including any trailer, is more than 3.5 tonnes but no more than 4.25 tonnes.
Alternative fuel vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes
Tachograph rules are also not applicable to goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes if all the following conditions are met:
- the vehicle is not already exempt under the zero emission rule for vehicles between 3.5 tonnes and 4.25 tonnes
- it is powered by natural gas, liquefied gas or electricity
- it is used to carry goods within a 100 km radius of the operator’s base.
However, this will only apply to vehicles operating solely within Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
Any zero emission vehicles weighing between 3.5 tonnes and 4.25 tonnes used on journeys between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will still require a tachograph and will remain in scope of drivers’ hours rules unless another exemption applies.
2. Goods vehicles used internationally over 2.5 tonnes
On or after 1 July 2026, a smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into goods vehicles with a gross weight of 2,501kg or over, undertaking international journeys for hire and reward.
If the vehicle is undertaking an international journey for the driver or company’s own account and driving does not constitute the main activity of the driver, there is no requirement to fit a tachograph.
In addition, if the vehicle weighs over 2.5 tonnes and less than 3.5 tonnes and is operating only within the UK, then there continues to be no requirement to fit a tachograph into the vehicle.
If the vehicle is newly registered with effect from 24 December 2025, then a full smart tachograph 2 must be fitted. If the vehicle is registered before this date, then a transitional smart tachograph 2 may be fitted.