EU MOBILITY PACKAGE I - How to comply with the law and avoid violations

Fairness and safety

We’ll now explain what’s behind Mobility Package I and what it means for you. We’ll show you what you need to look out for in the future and how to remain legally compliant with the DTCO 4.1.

All the important information in one leaflet

NEWS

Current legislative changes

Be in compliance with the law.

It is mandatory to enter the country symbol after crossing a border since 02.02.2022. Drivers must make the entry on the tachograph at the first available stop (EU 165/2014). Find out how to do this without losing time in our video.

Since 21.02.2022, companies are obliged to return vehicles that have been used in international freight transport to an operating site in Germany no later than eight weeks after leaving Germany. (EC 1072/2009) This also applies to vehicles rented abroad and used by the company's branch in Germany.

Also, since 21.02.2022, cabotage operations are prohibited for four days after the end of authorised cabotage transport operations in an EU member state. The period starts from the day following the last cabotage journey. (EC 1071/2009)

Companies operating in international freight transport will not need a community license for vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tonnes until 21.05.2022. However, since 21.02.2022, you can already submit corresponding applications to the authorities under national law. (EU 1072/2009) For purely domestic transports, a license is required only from a total mass of 3.5 tonnes. 


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PLAN YOUR RETROFIT NOW!


There are 3.5 million registered trucks in Germany alone. If everyone waits until just before the deadline to retrofit to the DTCO 4.1, long queues at workshops are inevitable, and some vehicles may have to stand still.

The EU Commission has proposed an "educational learning period" to extend the retrofit deadline to February 28, 2025, instead of the original deadline of December 31, 2024. However, after this date, vehicles operating in cross-border transport without the second version of the smart tachograph will face severe penalties, such as fines of up to 1,500 euros in Germany. With DSRC-RP technology, authorities can now also detect violations remotely.

We strongly recommend starting the retrofit process as soon as possible. Commercial vehicle workshops currently have sufficient slots and equipment available. Combining the retrofit with the mandatory tachograph inspection makes the process more efficient.

Avoid penalties, downtimes, and costly work stoppages – contact a VDO partner workshop now to schedule your retrofit appointment!

All information on the new cabotage regulations, the associated facilitations for driving personnel and the professional access requirements are available in our whitepaper on EU Mobility Package I:



Go to Whitepaper

COMPULSORY RETROFITTING: WHICH TACHOGRAPH AND FROM WHEN?

Timeline EU Mobility Package I: Details on the Compulsory Retrofitting

All information regarding legal deadlines are subject to change without notice.

 

Overview: All the important deadlines

When do the vehicles of your fleet have to be upgraded to the VDO DTCO 4.1?

The deadlines in chronological order:

New vehicles (first registrations) of > 3.5 t* must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1).

 

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

Important Update: The EU Commission has proposed an "educational learning period," extending the retrofit deadline to February 28, 2025, instead of the original deadline of December 31, 2024.

All vehicles > 3.5 t* that still use a 1st-generation analogue or digital tachograph (e.g. DTCO 1.x-3.x) and travel across borders must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1).

 

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

All vehicles > 3.5 t* that travel across borders must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1) by 20 August 2025. This means that even the vehicles equipped with a 1st-generation version of the smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.0) must also be retrofitted.

 

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

All vehicles > 2.5 t* in international freight transport must be equipped with the advanced smart tachograph (DTCO 4.1).

 

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

** These deadlines depend on the respective entry into force of the EU regulations or the duration of the legislative process.


Front view of the VDO DTCO 4.1 with printout in progress. A European flag with a barrier symbol shows that this device meets all the requirements of the EU Mobility Package I.

THE DTCO 4.1 The new generation of smart tachographs

The new DTCO 4.1 detects and stores a vehicle’s border crossings. The device also logs the position and time during loading and unloading and records this information together with driver and vehicle data for at least as long as the new regulation requires it. The new tacho version provides reliable data even more securely for more efficient traffic and trade monitoring.

Unlike its predecessor, the DTCO 4.1 uses the European Galileo signal (OS-NMA), one of the first industrial applications to do so. OS-NMA stands for Open Service Navigation Message Authentication. It is a technique that adds cryptographic protection to navigation messages to provide the best possible protection against cyber attacks.

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Side view of a computer with the map view of the VDO software Tachograph Management.

VDO Fleet WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH THE MOBILITY PACKAGE

VDO Fleet Services provide competent support for fleet companies and fleet management providers during the introduction of the  European Mobility Package I. The cloud solution also ensures security when current and future regulations are being implemented and adhered to.
This is why Continental’s VDO brand is focusing on the best possible solutions for tomorrow and is already developing more services that will make it easier for fleet managers to monitor and comply with the new rules within the EU Mobility Package I. 

 

 

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The driver of a fleet inserts a download key into the slot of his tachograph. The driver's door is open so that you can look into the truck from street level.

EXTENDED TACHOGRAPH DUTY Also > 2.5-tonne vehicles in the future

From 1 July 2026, the tachograph requirement will also apply to vehicles used in international commercial transport, the maximum permissible mass of which exceeds 2.5 tonnes, including trailers or semi-trailers.

Artisans with vehicles or vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 7.5 tonnes who transport their equipment or deliver their products within a radius of 100 km from their business location will be exempt from this regulation. Vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for non-commercial freight transportation are also exempt. Driving must not be the main occupation of the person who is driving the vehicle.

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