Here’s a clear explanation of the 1 July 2026 EU requirement that’s causing what many in the UK logistics sector are calling a Compliance Crunch — especially for hauliers, forwarders and subcontractors using vans on international routes.

🚛 What’s Changing on 1 July 2026

From 1 July 2026, EU road transport law will extend the existing tachograph and drivers’ hours regime to light commercial vehicles (LCVs) weighing more than 2.5 t and up to 3.5 t when they are used for international transport of goods (including cabotage) for hire or reward. That means:

• Vans that previously didn’t need tachographs for cross-border trips must now be equipped with them.

• Drivers of those vans must follow the EU drivers’ hours and rest rules in the same way as HGV drivers.

• The required device is a second-generation (Gen 2) smart tachograph (G2V2).

In effect, this brings 2.5–3.5 t vans into the same compliance regime that has long applied to vehicles over 3.5 t when they operate internationally — a significant regulatory expansion.

📊 Why This Matters to UK Operators

For UK hauliers and forwarders working with subcontracted van fleets:

• Vans that cross into the EU/EEA/Switzerland for commercial trips must be compliant from day one after 1 July 2026.

• Even occasional international trips (e.g., a few runs per quarter) trigger the rules — there’s no partial-use exemption.

• UK-based vehicles that stay entirely within the UK remain exempt unless and until the UK adopts similar domestic rules.

Failure to comply in the EU can lead to fines, vehicle impoundment or enforcement action against drivers and operators.

🧑‍✈️ What EU Drivers’ Hours Rules Apply

Once subject to the regime, drivers must adhere to the standard EU working time limits just like HGV drivers, including:

• Daily driving limit: 9 h (up to 10 h twice per week)

• Weekly driving limit: 56 h

• Fortnight total: 90 h

• Mandatory breaks: 45 min after 4.5 h driving

• Rest periods: minimum daily and weekly rest rules apply

These rules ensure consistent fatigue management and are now mandatory for LCV international operations.

📋 Simple Compliance Checklist for UK Operators

✅ 1. Carry Out Fleet Assessment

• Identify all vans in the 2.5–3.5 t category.

• Confirm which vehicles operate on EU international routes or cabotage.
  ✱ If they never cross a border for commercial work, tachographs may not be required yet.

✅ 2. Install Gen 2 Smart Tachographs

• Ensure LCVs in scope are fitted with G2V2 smart tachographs before 1 July 2026.

• Use approved workshops or converters.

• Make sure devices are correctly calibrated and company-locked.

✅ 3. Equip Drivers with Driver Cards

• Each commercial driver using these vans on international trips needs an EU smart driver card for recording hours.

✅ 4. Update Operators’ Licences & Documentation

• Verify that operator licences cover vehicles over 2.5 t used for hire and reward in the EU.

• Ensure compliant vehicle and driver documentation is carried on every journey.

✅ 5. Embed Drivers’ Hours and Break Planning

• Adjust planning systems to accommodate EU drivers’ hours rules.

• Train planning and operations staff.

✅ 6. Set Up Data Download & Retention

• Establish procedures for:

  • Downloading tachograph and driver card data regularly

  • Securely storing records for the mandatory retention period (usually 1 year).

• Have an archiving solution in place.

✅ 7. Train Drivers and Check Usage

• Focus training on:

  • Correct tachograph operation

  • Manual entries

  • Break and rest time rules

  • What constitutes international work triggering compliance

• Conduct internal audits before 1 July 2026.

✅ 8. Communicate With Subcontracted Vans

If you use subcontractors for EU van work:

• Confirm their compliance status.

• Require tachograph- and hours-compliance proof in contracts.

• Incorporate sanctions for non-compliance.

📝 Bottom Line

1 July 2026 marks a major shift: vans of 2.5–3.5 t used in international EU freight will no longer enjoy tachograph exemption. They must:

• Be fitted with Gen 2 smart tachographs (G2V2)

• Follow EU drivers’ hours and rest rules

• Be properly documented, data-managed, and planned for operational compliance

This expands EU social and safety regulation deep into the light commercial transport segment — and UK operators need to be ready well ahead of the deadline.