Driving law changes launching today could see drivers slapped with roadside fines of £300

A tachograph is used to monitor driving hours and ensure motorists are adhering to safety rules and taking breaks at regular intervals.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) outlined the new rules, stating that goods vehicles making international journeys for hire and reward must comply.

If the vehicle is undertaking an international journey for the driver or the company's own account, without driving being the main activity, they will not need to fit a tachograph.

In the event that the vehicle weighs between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes, and they only operate in the UK, they will also avoid the need to fit a tachograph.

Any goods vehicle newly registered from December 24, 2025, must have a full tachograph 2 fitted, while any vehicles registered before can have a transitional tachograph 2.

Vehicles found to be fitted with an incorrect tachograph may face disciplinary action or even prosecution.

Similarly, any centre that has fitted an incorrect tachograph must inform the DVSA of the issue, or they could face consequences.

It comes after the DVSA was made aware that technicians were continuing to fit transitional smart tachographs to vehicles registered after December 24, 2025.

The agency reminded centres, technicians and tachograph equipment calibrators that all rules and procedures must be followed when work is being completed.

It confirmed that any instances of centres conducting work without a calibration technician attending the site will be investigated.

The DVSA stated: "Any calibrations undertaken following such an adjustment may be rendered void.

"In addition, centres are reminded that all equipment calibration certificates must be signed and dated, with the name of the calibrating technician clearly stated."

The International Road Transport Union estimates that up to three million vehicles across the UK and Europe are exceeding their permitted driving hours.

It suggests that drivers are failing to record their breaks correctly, with on-the-spot roadside fines of between £300 and £1,500 for motorists.

Separate research warned that a concerning number of fleets still needed a smart tachograph 2 installed, potentially risking huge fines.

Ryan Yu, VP Product at Samsara, said: "Professional drivers handle immense cognitive overload on the road, managing everything from severe weather to tight delivery windows. They shouldn't be penalised by complex compliance math.

"As new regulations bring tens of thousands of international LGVs into scope, drivers unfamiliar with strict hours logging face potential roadside fines of £300 per offence, which can snowball up to £1,500 due to the 28-day historical audit window.

"This will meaningfully increase road safety, but it might discourage new drivers and even prompt early retirement for some at a time when the UK is already struggling with a logistics talent shortage."