From July 1, drivers of vans with a permissible total mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes engaged in international freight transport must equip their vehicles with tachographs. The new regulations affect nearly 40,000 vehicles in Poland. Experts warn that non-compliance can result in fines reaching tens of thousands of euros.
The requirement, which previously applied only to trucks over 3.5 tonnes and buses carrying more than nine passengers, now extends to smaller commercial vans used for cross-border deliveries. The change stems from an EU directive aimed at tightening controls on drivers’ working hours and preventing unfair competition in the road transport sector.
In Poland, the number of affected vehicles is estimated at around 40,000. These vans often carry high-value goods, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and spare parts. From now on, every such vehicle crossing an EU border must have a functioning tachograph that records driving time, breaks, and rest periods.
High fines and practical challenges
According to Mateusz Włoch from Eurowag, a company providing fleet management solutions, inspectors are prepared to issue penalties ruthlessly. “We run a helpline for our clients and we know what problems drivers face during their first trips with the tachograph. They ask very basic questions, ones we haven’t heard on our helpline for years,” he said.
The consequences of failing to comply can be severe. Fines for violating working time regulations can run into tens of thousands of euros. Drivers and fleet operators must now carefully log every activity, including loading, waiting, and driving.
New learning curve for experienced drivers
Even professional drivers with years of experience in larger trucks find the transition difficult. “Even if a driver spends a whole day training on driving time, breaks and rest periods, there is so much information to absorb that once on the road, it’s hard to put into practice,” Włoch noted.
The new rules apply to all vehicles used for international transport within the European Union. Domestic journeys are not yet covered, but experts expect a similar extension in the future. For now, the focus is on enforcement at border crossings and during spot checks by national authorities.
Fleet managers are advised to install tachographs as soon as possible and to conduct thorough training sessions for their drivers. The cost of the device itself is modest compared to the potential penalties, which in extreme cases can exceed 50,000 euros per violation.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Magda Wygralak
