New tachograph requirements for LCVs from 1 July 2026

A practical guide for leaders in smaller transport businesses

From 1 July 2026, new requirements for driving and resting times, alongside mandatory tachographs, will be introduced for a specific segment of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market. For UK businesses conducting international goods transport with vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, this will significantly impact operations, driver management, and costs. The changes are part of the EU Mobility Package, aimed at creating fairer competition, improving working conditions, and enhancing road safety.

For many Operations Directors and Fleet Managers, these are regulations they have rarely had to consider. Therefore, it is crucial to understand three things: who is affected, what exemptions apply, and what needs to be in place well before the rules take effect.

Why are the rules changing for LCVs?

The LCV segment plays a much larger role in freight transport than it used to. E-commerce and cross-border logistics have led to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes taking on jobs previously handled by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The EU Mobility Package addresses the fact that vehicles over and under 3.5 tonnes are often competing in the same market but under different regulations.

However, the changes are not just about fair competition. The driving and resting time rules are designed to protect drivers and ensure safer roads. For management, this means the focus must shift from simply installing technical equipment to rethinking how operations and site workflows are organised.

What applies to LCV from 1 July 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the rules on driving times, rest periods, and tachographs will extend to goods vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of over 2.5 tonnes. In practice, this affects many light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes.

Crucially, the regulations do not just look at whether the vehicle is registered as a LCV. The starting point is the vehicle's MAM, which includes any trailer being towed. This means it is the total permitted weight and how the vehicle is used that matters. Fleet Managers should review both their vehicle fleet and their operational patterns.

The key question is: Does your business operate vehicles over 2.5 tonnes for international goods transport? If the answer is yes, you are likely in scope.

Who do the LCV rules apply to?

For UK operators, the distinction between domestic and international transport is vital. The new rules primarily target vans used for commercial goods transport (hire and reward) on international journeys into or through the EU.

If your LCVs only operate within the UK, the UK government has confirmed there is currently no requirement to fit a tachograph. These vehicles will continue to fall under GB domestic drivers' hours rules. However, if your business crosses borders into the EU, your vans will now face the same strict compliance checks usually associated with HGVs. 

What does this mean in practice for your business?

When a vehicle falls under the new regulations, it is no longer enough to manage routes and delivery times as you always have. The business must ensure drivers comply with driving and resting times and use the tachograph correctly.

You will need to manage:

• Which vehicles are in scope

• Which drivers need a driver card also known as a driver digital tachograph card

• Ensuring vehicles have the correct Smart Tachograph Version 2 (G2V2) 

• Downloading and securely storing data

• Adapting schedules to fit the legal requirements

This is not just a vehicle requirement - it is an operational and compliance requirement.

Key driving and resting time rules for LCV drivers

When driving in scope of the EU rules, a driver can drive for a maximum of 4.5 hours before taking a mandatory break of at least 45 minutes. Daily driving time is normally capped at 9 hours but can be extended to 10 hours twice a week. The maximum weekly driving time is 56 hours, and the total over two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours.

Resting times are equally strictly enforced. A normal daily rest period is at least 11 hours.

For Logistics Managers, planning must become highly systematic. You need full visibility to ensure drivers can complete their routes within the law.

Tachographs, driver cards, and company cards

 Tachographs record information about driving time, speed and distance to ensure compliance.

 Businesses must understand three components:

• Vehicle tachograph: The G2V2 unit installed in the LCV.

• Driver card: A personal smart card linking activities to the specific driver.

• Company card: The business's card used to download, archive, and present data during inspections.

Which tachograph do you need?

For vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used in international transport, the second-generation smart tachograph (G2V2) is mandatory from 1 July 2026. Older tachographs will not meet the new cross-border requirements.

ABAX's recommendation

For business leaders, the message is clear: from 1 July 2026, tachographs and drivers' hours are no longer just an HGV issue. They are a management responsibility for international van fleets.

At ABAX, our platform is built on three core pillars: one unified platform, ease of use, and adaptive intelligence.  

We recommend asking four questions right now to get ahead of the 2026 changes:

1. Do our vans travel internationally for hire and reward?

2. Which vehicles in our fleet will exceed the 2.5-tonne MAM limit (including trailers)?

3. What driver training and administrative routines do we need?

4. How can a unified platform help us manage compliance and asset visibility?

By preparing early, your business can avoid disruptions and keep your site operations running smoothly.

Sources and Further Reading

GOV.UK - Tachograph Rules for Goods Vehicles

Official guidance confirming that goods vehicles weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes only require a tachograph (Smart Tachograph 2) from 1 July 2026 if they are used for international journeys for hire and reward. It also confirms the exemption for UK-only operations and "own account" journeys.
Read the guidance on GOV.UK 

GOV.UK - Transporting Goods in Europe in Vans or Car and Trailers

Details the requirement for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for vans over 2.5 tonnes transporting goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Read the guidance on GOV.UK 

GOV.UK - Carry out International Road Haulage

A comprehensive step-by-step guide on what UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage, including licensing, documents, and rules.
Read the guidance on GOV.UK 

National Compliance Training - New Tachograph Requirements for Vans from July 2026

A practical industry breakdown of the EU Mobility Package changes, explicitly detailing the UK position, the July 2026 deadline, and the differences between domestic and cross-border requirements.
Read the article