In short: as of August 2026, every retrofit deadline for the smart tachograph 2 (G2V2) has passed. Heavy vehicles operating in a member state other than the one where they are registered had to be fitted with a smart tachograph 2 from August 19, 2025, and light vehicles of 2.5–3.5 tons used for international transport or cabotage became subject to the requirement on July 1, 2026. There is no transition period left: a non-compliant vehicle now means a fine of 9,000 to 12,000 lei and a very serious infringement that affects the operator’s good repute.
The smart tachograph version 2 is required by Mobility Package 1, through Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 which amended Regulation (EU) No 165/2014. In Romania, V2G2 cards have been issued by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR) since August 2023.
Smart tachograph 2 deadlines – all have expired
The timeline was rolled out in four stages. Today, all of them are behind us:
| Deadline | Who it applies to | Status in August 2026 |
| August 21, 2023 | Vehicles registered for the first time – factory-fitted smart tachograph 2 | Expired |
| December 31, 2024 | Retrofitting of vehicles with analog and digital tachographs used in international transport | Expired |
| August 18, 2025 | Retrofitting of vehicles with smart tachograph version 1 used in international transport | Expired – the obligation applies from August 19, 2025 |
| July 1, 2026 | Light vehicles of 2.5–3.5 tons operating internationally or in cabotage | Expired |
A common misconception: the deadline for replacing first-generation smart tachographs was August 18, 2025, not August 20 or 21. The European Commission publicly confirmed the date on August 19, 2025, when it announced that, from that day, all heavy vehicles registered in the EU and operating in a member state other than the one of registration must be fitted with a smart tachograph version 2. The deadline follows from the four years counted from the entry into force of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1228.
Who must have a smart tachograph 2 in 2026
- All new vehicles registered for the first time on or after August 21, 2023, whether they operate domestically or internationally;
- All vehicles over 3.5 tons operating in a member state other than the one of registration – including those that had an analog, digital or smart version 1 tachograph;
- Vehicles of 2.5–3.5 tons carrying out international freight transport or cabotage, from July 1, 2026.
If you’re not sure from what weight the rules apply, we have a separate guide on the vehicle weight that requires a tachograph, covering all the thresholds and exemptions in Regulation 561/2006.
Which vehicles remain exempt
Goods vehicles with a maximum authorized weight of up to 3.5 tons that operate exclusively within Romania are not subject to the tachograph requirement, and therefore not to the smart tachograph 2 requirement either.
Watch out for light vehicles that leave the country. Since July 1, 2026, the exemption for international transport and cabotage applies only below 2.5 tons. A 3-ton van that occasionally ran trips to Hungary or Germany and didn’t need a tachograph until summer 2026 now needs one.
What you risk if you haven’t installed a smart tachograph 2
Now that the transition periods are over, ISCTR roadside checks no longer allow any leeway. Operating a vehicle without a type-approved tachograph, or with a tachograph not installed in line with legal requirements, is classified under Art. 8(1)(e) of Government Ordinance no. 37/2007 as a very serious infringement:
- Fine of 9,000 lei to 12,000 lei, imposed on the transport operator/undertaking or the driver, as applicable (Art. 9(1)(a));
- Impact on the good repute of the transport operator, under Art. 6(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 – with consequences for the Community license.
During roadside checks in other member states, a non-compliant vehicle can be immobilized until the issue is fixed, and local fines apply independently of those in Romania.
What’s new in the smart tachograph version 2
The second generation (V2G2) is not a software update for existing units but a different device. It uses satellite positioning and a short-range communication interface, so the old tachograph must be physically replaced, together with the motion sensor – which can be paired with only one tachograph.
- Automatic recording of border crossings, to document cabotage operations and driver posting;
- GNSS positioning recorded at predefined intervals throughout the trip;
- Remote communication for roadside checks, which lets authorities pre-select vehicles for inspection;
- Extended memory, in line with the obligation to keep on board the records for the current day and the previous 56 days – a rule in force since December 31, 2024.
The technical framework is set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/799, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/980, which introduced the distinction between transitional and final tachographs, depending on the availability of the Galileo signal authentication service (OSNMA – Open Service Navigation Message Authentication).
How much a smart tachograph 2 costs
The cost of replacement is borne entirely by the haulier. As a ballpark, the price of a unit starts at around 3,000 lei and can reach 5,000 lei, plus labor for installation and calibration at a RAR-authorized workshop. These figures are indicative and vary by manufacturer, model and whether the motion sensor also needs replacing.
For up-to-date costs and the list of authorized workshops, see the guide on smart tachograph 2 installation. You will also need the tachograph card for each driver, plus the company card for your business.
Data download: the obligation that remains after installation
Installing the unit doesn’t end the job. Data must be downloaded regularly – at least every 28 days from the driver card and every 90 days from the tachograph memory – and kept for inspections. The steps and equipment are detailed in the guide on tachograph data download.
For fleets, bringing every vehicle back to base at fixed intervals is the most expensive way to comply. Tachograph and driver card data can be downloaded automatically and remotely, using the GPS tracking device FM-Tco HCV5 and the tachograph data reading and download module from CargoTrack. Contact us for a setup tailored to your fleet.
For more context on the other obligations introduced by Mobility Package 1, see our articles on the new Mobility Package 1 regulations and on the Mobility Package regulations, and for the device itself, the guide the digital tachograph.
Frequently asked questions
Is any smart tachograph 2 deadline still open?
No. All four deadlines have expired: August 21, 2023 for newly registered vehicles, December 31, 2024 for retrofitting analog and digital tachographs, August 18, 2025 for replacing first-generation smart tachographs, and July 1, 2026 for light vehicles of 2.5–3.5 tons operating internationally.
What was the exact deadline for replacing smart tachograph version 1?
August 18, 2025. From August 19, 2025, all heavy vehicles registered in the EU and operating in a member state other than the one of registration must be fitted with a smart tachograph version 2, according to the European Commission’s announcement that day. The August 20 or 21 dates that appear in some materials are wrong.
What fine do you risk without a smart tachograph 2?
Operating a vehicle without a type-approved tachograph, or with a non-compliant installation, is a very serious infringement punishable by a fine of 9,000 lei to 12,000 lei, under Art. 8(1)(e) and Art. 9(1)(a) of Government Ordinance (OG) No. 37/2007. It also affects the transport operator’s good repute.
How much does a smart tachograph 2 cost?
As a ballpark, the price of the unit starts at around 3,000 lei and can reach 5,000 lei, plus labor for installation and calibration at an authorized workshop. The costs are borne by the haulier and vary by manufacturer, model and whether the motion sensor also needs replacing.
Which vehicles are exempt from the smart tachograph 2?
Goods vehicles of up to 3.5 tons operating exclusively within Romania. For international transport or cabotage, the exemption applies only below 2.5 tons, from July 1, 2026. The general exemptions in Art. 3 of Regulation 561/2006 also apply, such as vehicles with a maximum speed below 40 km/h or breakdown vehicles operating within a 100 km radius.
Can I upgrade my existing tachograph, or does it have to be replaced entirely?
It must be physically replaced. The second generation uses satellite positioning and its own communication interface, and the motion sensor must be replaced along with the unit, because it can be paired with only one tachograph.
Can tachograph data be downloaded remotely?
Yes. Tachograph and driver card data can be downloaded automatically and remotely using CargoTrack’s FM-Tco HCV5 GPS tracking device, without bringing the vehicle back to base. The deadlines stay the same: at least every 28 days for the driver card and every 90 days for the tachograph memory, and the records for the current day and the previous 56 days must be kept on board.
