Tachograph · Light Truck · 2.5–3.5 t
Tachograph for light trucks:
when is it required?
From 2026, enforcement of tachograph rules for 2.5–3.5 tonne vans is increasing. It is the route — not the vehicle — that determines the obligation. The same van may need a tachograph one day and not the next.
EU internationaltransport → REQUIRED
Ukraine ↔ EUtransport → NOT required
Domestictransport → NOT required
56 daysretrospective records
What determines whether a tachograph is needed?
It is the route of the specific journey that matters — not the vehicle itself. The same van can be subject to the tachograph requirement on one day and exempt the next, depending on where the freight is going.
REQUIRED🇪🇺 International transport within the EU
E.g. Hungary → Austria, Bratislava → Debrecen
Applicable rule: EC Reg. 561/2006 and 165/2014/EU
NOT REQUIRED🌍 Routes involving non-EU countries (AETR)
E.g. Ukraine → Hungary, Győr → Mukacheve
The AETR agreement does not apply to vehicles below 3.5 t
NOT REQUIRED🏠 Domestic transport
E.g. Budapest → Pécs, Győr → Debrecen
Under the special provision of the EC Regulation, domestic transport is exempt
⚠️ Important: If the journey falls under the EC Regulation, not only the tachograph requirement but all provisions of the regulation — including driving time and rest period rules — apply to both the vehicle and the driver.
Route-by-route practical examples
| Route | Transport type | Applicable rule | Tachograph |
|---|
| Mukacheve → Budapest | Non-EU to EU | AETR | NOT REQUIRED |
| Bratislava → Debrecen | EU international | EC Regulation | REQUIRED |
| Budapest → Pécs | Domestic | EC Reg. – special provision | NOT REQUIRED |
| Győr → Vienna | EU international | EC Regulation | REQUIRED |
| Bratislava → Budapest | EU international | EC Regulation | REQUIRED |
| Győr → Mukacheve | EU to non-EU | AETR | NOT REQUIRED |
Mixed use: domestic and international
If the vehicle is used partly for domestic and partly for international transport, the tachograph does not need to be operated during the domestic legs of the journey.
For digital tachographs: During domestic transport, the device must be set to "OUT" mode and the driver card does not need to be inserted. This signals to enforcement authorities that the leg in question is not subject to the EC Regulation.
The 56-day record-keeping obligation
When a driver is stopped at an enforcement checkpoint during an EU international journey, they must be able to produce records for the day of the inspection and the preceding 56 days — including days when no tachograph was required.
📋 Non-tachograph days must also be documented! Domestic transport, rest days and other work must be recorded manually — on a record sheet, a printout, or by manual entry into the recording device (EC Reg. 561/2006 Art. 6(5), EU Reg. 165/2014 Art. 34(5)).
If any days are missing from the 56-day period at the time of inspection, a fine may be issued — even if no tachograph was required on those days.
Quick reference for drivers
🇪🇺
Going abroad within the EU?Tachograph REQUIRED – card in, device running
🇺🇦
Ukraine ↔ Hungary route?Tachograph NOT required – AETR does not apply below 3.5 t
🏠
Domestic transport only?Tachograph NOT required – but set device to "OUT" mode
📋
Always have 56-day records readyRecord non-tachograph days manually!
Related services
Frequently asked questions
When is a tachograph required for a 2.5–3.5 tonne van?
It is the route, not the vehicle, that matters. A tachograph is required for international transport within the EU (e.g. Hungary → Austria, Bratislava → Debrecen) under EC Regulation 561/2006. It is not required for domestic transport or routes involving non-EU countries such as Ukraine.
Is a tachograph required for Ukraine–Hungary transport?
No. Transport between Ukraine and Hungary falls under the AETR agreement, which does not apply to vehicles below 3.5 tonnes, so a tachograph is not required.
Is a tachograph required for domestic transport?
No. Under the special provision of the EC Regulation, domestic freight transport does not require a tachograph for vehicles below 3.5 tonnes. However, a digital tachograph must be set to "OUT" mode.
What does "OUT" mode mean on a tachograph?
When a vehicle is used for domestic transport (where no tachograph obligation applies), a digital tachograph must be set to "OUT" (out-of-scope) mode and the driver card does not need to be inserted. This signals to enforcement authorities that the journey is not subject to the EC Regulation.
What is the 56-day record-keeping obligation?
For international transport subject to EC Regulation, the driver must be able to show records for the day of the inspection and the preceding 56 days — including days when no tachograph was required (domestic transport, rest days, other work). Missing days may result in a fine.
How should non-tachograph days be recorded?
Periods without a tachograph obligation must be recorded manually as "other work": on a record sheet, a printout, or by manual entry into the recording equipment under EC Regulation 561/2006 Art. 6(5) and EU Regulation 165/2014 Art. 34(5).
