As 2024 draws to a close, an important change in the logistics industry is coming up on 31 December: the recording period for driver cards will be extended to 56 days. This affects all drivers and fleet operators in Europe. But what exactly does this change mean? Is there any reason for concern? In this article, we summarize the most important facts and show how you can best prepare.
Why are new driver cards being introduced?
As part of the EU Mobility Package, the requirements for driver cards and tachographs are continuously being expanded to make road transport safer and compliance with legal requirements easier. The new Generation 2 Version 2 (Gen2V2) driver cards, which have been issued since July 2023, are an important part of these measures. They can store significantly more data, such as up to 1,624 loading and unloading operations, which was not possible on older cards. Border crossings are now also stored visibly on the driver card and on the daily printout.
56 instead of 28 days – What specifically has changed?
Previously, driver cards could store data for at least 28 days. From December 31, 2024, they will have to record the data from the last 56 calendar days. But don't worry: driver cards that have already been issued and only store 28 days will remain valid until their expiry date. There is therefore no obligation to exchange them. So, if your card is still valid until 2027, you do not need to replace it prematurely.
What does the change mean for fleet operators?
Fleet operators are still obliged to download and archive the data from the driver cards every 28 days. This deadline will not change with the introduction of the 56-day cards. However, what could change is the need to check existing systems and software solutions for their compatibility with the new driver cards. Some older fleet management tools may not be able to handle the longer recording periods. It is therefore advisable to ensure at an early stage that your devices are ready for the new cards.
The good news is that our second-generation smart tachographs, the DTCO 4.1, and the VDO Fleet Tachograph Management Platform are already fully compatible with the new driver cards and offer you a safe and reliable fleet management solution.
More control or more penalties?
A common concern in the industry is that the extended recording period could lead to more penalties, as authorities have more data available for checks. Indeed, the longer storage period increases the possibility of tracking violations over a longer period of time, especially for remote checks. However, this does not necessarily mean that there will be more penalties.
But the longer recording period also offers advantages for fleet managers. They now have more data available to identify violations at an early stage and to customize training. With tools like VDO Fleet, fleet operators can monitor the most common violations over a period of up to 52 weeks and take targeted action to minimize non-compliance.
Conclusion: act early an enjoy the benefits
The introduction of the new driver cards from December 31, 2024 is a significant change, but it's nothing for either drivers or fleets to panic about. The important thing is to get information early, update your systems, and take advantage of the extended recording time for your compliance. With the right tools and forward planning, you can easily manage the transition.
By the way, on our central VDO information portal myVDO you will not only find all the relevant information about the EU Mobility Package, but also current software updates and user guides, eLearning courses on VDO products, the latest videos about tachographs from VDO brand ambassador Olli Gleinert, and much more. Register now and ensure that you will no longer miss any relevant news!
