Information on the Smart Tachograph Regulations for Light Commercial Vehicles That Have Entered into Force in the European Union

Dear Member,
With reference to the letter sent to our Chamber by TOBB, in our country, the work and procedures concerning card application, personalisation, distribution and certification infrastructure for the digital tachograph system have been carried out by our Union since 2010 under the Protocol signed between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and our Union.
In this context, developments regarding digital tachograph applications in the European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport
(AETR), to which our country is a party, and in European Union legislation are closely monitored by our Union.
Under the Mobility Package adopted by the European Union, the regulations on the smart tachograph application for light commercial vehicles (Light Commercial Vehicles-LCV) weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used in international carriage of goods entered into force as of 1 July 2026.
Following the entry into force of the said regulations, it is observed that differing assessments are being made in the sector regarding the scope of the application, and that misinformation has arisen concerning the digital tachograph system, particularly with regard to light commercial vehicles and the drivers operating them.
Pursuant to European Union legislation, the tachograph obligation for light commercial vehicles applies only to
certain light commercial vehicles that jointly meet the conditions laid down in the relevant regulations; the fact that a vehicle falls within a certain weight range (between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes) or carries out international transport or cabotage does not on its own give rise to a digital tachograph obligation.
On the other hand, the said regulations put into force by the European Union, in particular those concerning the smart tachograph, have not yet been included within the scope of the European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (AETR).
Accordingly, since the said regulations have entered into force only in the European Union,
there is no new digital tachograph obligation for light commercial vehicles registered in our country and the drivers operating them
.
In this regard, a guide prepared on the scope of the European Union regulations and the assessment of the tachograph obligation
for different transport scenarios is attached. In order to prevent any misinterpretations that may arise in the sector
, I kindly request that the necessary action be taken to announce the attached guide to your relevant members
.

Annex: Information on the Smart Tachograph Regulations for Light Commercial Vehicles That Have Entered into Force
in the European Union

Kind regards,
Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry