Then there’s the next change regarding the driver’s cards. Until now, we have had to provide a complete record of our activities for the last 28 days.
However, this will change from December 31, 2024. As of today, March 30, 2024, there are only 277 days left until then.
Current Regulation
The current regulation is set out in Regulation (EC) No 581/2010. This includes both the reading of digital tachographs and the data on when the driver’s card must be read.
This means that, currently, we must provide a complete record of our activities for the last 28 days.
Small tip aside: If you want to know how your driver’s card looks, you should get a card reader and software to read the driver’s card. Nobody can and will not prohibit you from doing this. The driver’s card belongs to you, and so do the data on it.
Mobility Package 1
What does this have to do with driver’s cards?
As part of the Mobility Package published on July 31, 2020, it was decided that the period for the complete record will be extended. Specifically, to 56 days. This can be read in Regulation (EU) 2020/1054.
This means that the period during which we can be controlled and for which violations in this period can be penalized will also double.
(11) In order to ensure effective enforcement, it is essential that the competent authorities are able, during road checks, to determine whether the driving and rest periods of the current day and the preceding 56 days have been observed correctly. REGULATION (EU) 2020/1054 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
Tachographs for Vehicles over 2.8 Tonnes
Here’s a little more information on this topic, as this will soon become reality for cross-border transport as well.
Even a Ford Kuga would then need to be equipped with a digital tachograph, if used commercially in freight transport.
For vehicles with a permissible total weight of 3.5 tonnes or more, there is already a requirement to install a digital tachograph.
From mid-2026, this limit will be lowered further, to 2.8 tonnes, for cross-border transport already in 277 days. That is, on December 31, 2024.
My Ford Kuga in the picture here has a permissible total weight of 2250 kg. With my trailer behind it, I reach 4350 kg. So, in the case of commercial use, a tachograph would definitely be required.
For all other information regarding the driver’s card, my article on this topic still applies.
