Who must evaluate tachograph data from 2026 — complete overview

Do you drive a truck or van? Do you run a company that transports goods across borders? From July 2026 the rules are changing — and they now apply to vans from 2.5 tonnes. Here is a clear overview of who is affected and what you need to do, whether you sit behind the wheel or in an office.

Quick test — does this apply to you?

Do you travel only domestically and don't cross borders? The new obligation does not affect you yet. Note: simply crossing a border with a van does not automatically trigger the obligation. What matters is whether it is transport for hire or reward or cabotage — see details below.

What does "evaluate data" actually mean?

Many people assume that having a tachograph and downloading data from it occasionally is enough. It is not. The law is clear:

• Download data from the driver card — at least every 28 days.
• Download data from the tachograph (from the vehicle) — at least every 90 days.
• Evaluate the data — check whether drivers are complying with driving times, breaks and rest periods.
• Archive the data — for at least 1 year; 3–5 years is recommended.

In practice it works simply: you download the data (with a download key or remotely), import it into the software, and the software tells you whether everything is in order — or where there is a problem.

Who is already subject to the obligation today

If you have a vehicle above 3.5 tonnes with a tachograph, data evaluation is not new. It applies to truck transport (domestic and international), bus transport, and anyone with a digital tachograph in their vehicle.

How many companies and drivers actually evaluate data regularly — and how many just download it and put it in a drawer? Inspectors will find out.

What changes from July 2026

From 1 July 2026, vans of 2.5–3.5 t used for international carriage of goods for hire or reward or for cabotage (when, as a carrier, you transport goods inside another EU country — for example from Hamburg to Berlin) will also need a tachograph. Simply crossing a border with a van does not by itself trigger the obligation.

In practice this will affect many companies and drivers who have not had to deal with tachographs before:

• Courier and parcel services — delivering packages between countries.
• Construction companies — transporting materials, equipment or scaffolding to foreign projects.
• Removal companies — international removals.
• Service and installation companies — technicians travelling to repair or install equipment abroad.
• Breakdown and recovery services — transporting vehicles between EU countries.
• Refrigerated transport — cross-border delivery of food with a cooling unit for hire.
• Distribution of goods and spare parts — commercial distribution between countries.
• Agriculture and forestry — commercial cross-border transport of produce or timber.
• Operators carrying goods for hire or reward — e.g. a carrier delivering customer shipments abroad by van.

What you will need

Whether you are a driver or a company owner — here is the list:

• Smart tachograph 2nd generation (G2v2) — older types are not sufficient. Installation must be done at an authorised workshop; book your slot well in advance.
• Driver card — each driver must have their own. Apply at your local transport authority or online portal.
• Company card — needed by the company to download data from the vehicle tachograph. Apply at gov.cz.
• Download device — the Download Box II S for manual downloading from the vehicle and driver cards.
• Evaluation software — tachograph data files cannot be read by standard viewers. You need dedicated software such as TAGRA, which reads them, evaluates violations and generates reports.

Solutions for companies

Choose the version based on your number of vehicles. All versions do the same thing — evaluate violations, prepare inspection reports and archive data. The only difference is the number of vehicles covered by the licence. And if your company grows, you can upgrade at any time.

• TAGRA 1 — for 1 vehicle
• TAGRA 2 — for 2 vehicles
• TAGRA 4 — up to 4 vehicles
• TAGRA 6 — up to 6 vehicles
• TAGRA MAX — unlimited number of vehicles

Solution for drivers

Do you drive as a self-employed operator, or do you want to monitor your own data independently of your employer? TAGRA Trucker is designed exactly for you. You can evaluate data from your driver card, see where you have violations, and stay in control of your compliance. The card reader is included in the box free of charge.

You can try it free for 30 days — no commitment.

What happens if you don't comply

Inspections take place on roads across Europe. Inspectors check whether data has been downloaded and evaluated, whether drivers are complying with driving and rest rules, and whether the tachograph is functioning and calibrated.

And the fines are not small:

• Companies can receive fines of up to €14,000.
• Drivers can be required to pay a roadside security deposit of up to €8,000 for the most serious violations — such as tampering with the tachograph.

Don't want to deal with it yourself?

Have the evaluation done by specialists: Send us the data and we will handle everything — evaluate violations, prepare reports and monitor deadlines. You have peace of mind. Find out more about our evaluation service.

Learn to do it yourself: Book a training session and our specialists will teach you to use TAGRA, read the results correctly and set up the whole process in your company. We also offer individual training.

Frequently asked questions

Must I just download tachograph data, or must I also evaluate it?

Downloading alone is not enough. The law requires regular evaluation — checking compliance with driving times, breaks and rest periods. Without evaluation you have no visibility of violations and risk a fine.

How often must data be downloaded?

Driver card at least every 28 days, vehicle unit at least every 90 days. We recommend downloading more frequently — for example every 10 and 30 days — to maintain a safety margin.

I'm a driver — do I have to handle the evaluation myself?

If you are an employee, the evaluation obligation lies with your employer. But inspectors will ask you — and the driver can also be fined. If you are self-employed, it is your responsibility. TAGRA Trucker is designed exactly for this purpose.

Does the new obligation apply to vans that travel only domestically?

No. The new obligation from July 2026 applies to vans of 2.5–3.5 t only in international transport for hire or reward or during cabotage in the EU. If you travel only domestically, it does not currently affect you.

What is cabotage?

Cabotage means that, as a carrier, you transport goods inside another EU country. Example: you unload in Hamburg and then carry a shipment from Hamburg to Berlin. Even though you are not crossing a border, this falls under the cabotage regime and a tachograph will be required.

I cross a border with my van — do I automatically need a tachograph?

Not necessarily. The obligation applies to international carriage of goods for hire or reward and to cabotage. Transport on own account (e.g. crossing a border to collect materials for your own company, where driving is not the driver's main profession) typically does not fall under the new obligation. If you are not sure, call us on +420 739 005 345.

What fines are at stake?

Companies can receive fines of up to €14,000. Drivers can face a roadside security deposit of up to €8,000 for the most serious violations — such as tampering with the tachograph.

I don't want to deal with it. Can you evaluate the data for me?

Yes. We offer an evaluation service — send us the data, we evaluate it, check violations and send you a clear report. We also monitor downloading deadlines and archiving. Contact us for details.