Guidance

Approved tachograph centre special notice 03-25

Published 19 December 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Generation 2 (Version 2) Tachographs

Please note that with effect from 24 December 2025, the transitional smart 2 period will come to an end.

This will mean that any tachographs fitted to newly registered vehicles with effect from this date must be a full smart 2 tachograph.

2. Annual fee renewal

In November 2025 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) sent all approved tachograph centres the £148.00 fee renewal notice for 2026. Another reminder will be sent in December 2025. So far roughly 50% of centres have paid the fee. Please check to ensure your centre has paid the required fee.

Approved tachograph centres are reminded that the deadline for fee payment for the continued authority to calibrate tachographs is 31 January 2026. Any centres who do not pay their annual fee in time will have their authorisation withdrawn with immediate effect on 1 February 2026.

Last year multiple tachograph centres had their authorisation withdrawn following a failure to pay the due fees. They then had to reapply for authorisation, and pay an application fee to do so (£361).

Any centres found to be calibrating without the required authorisation will face disciplinary action, up to and including possible prosecution.

Any centres who have outstanding payments due will not receive workshop cards for their technicians for April 2025.

If your centre has not yet paid, email tachosection@dvsa.gov.uk to arrange payment.