Mandatory tachographs for vans from 1 July 2026: rules, penalties and fleet impact

23 July 2026

in News

Șofer TAKT Recruitment lângă un camion pentru transport internațional

In brief: from 1 July 2026, light commercial vehicles with a maximum permissible mass above 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes, including any trailer or semi-trailer, must use a second-generation smart tachograph (G2V2) when they carry out international freight transport or cabotage for hire or reward. Their drivers must also comply with EU rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods.

For Romanian transport operators, mandatory tachographs for vans are not simply an equipment requirement. The new rules affect route planning, driver schedules, the daily capacity of a fleet and the way companies calculate their staffing needs.

In a scenario where available operating capacity falls by 10–20%, some companies may need approximately 11–25 additional drivers for every 100 vans in order to maintain the same transport volume, according to an illustrative calculation by TAKT Recruitment.

Which vans must use a tachograph from 1 July 2026?

The rules introduced under Mobility Package I apply to vehicles or vehicle combinations that meet all of the following conditions:

the maximum permissible mass is above 2.5 tonnes and does not exceed 3.5 tonnes, including any trailer or semi-trailer;
the vehicle carries goods in international transport operations or cabotage;
the transport is performed for hire or reward.

The European Labour Authority confirms that these vehicles must use the G2V2 smart tachograph and comply with EU driving and rest rules.

Are there exemptions?

Yes. For example, vehicles above 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes may be exempt when the goods are not transported for hire or reward, the journey is made on the company’s or driver’s own account, and driving is not the main activity of the person behind the wheel. Other exemptions under EU legislation and national derogations may also apply.

Important: applicability must be assessed for each type of operation, vehicle and route. This article provides general information and does not replace legal or transport-compliance advice.

What does the G2V2 smart tachograph record?

The tachograph records the driver’s activity and the data required to verify compliance with social and road-transport rules. In practice, it records:

driving times, breaks, rest periods and other work;
the driver’s identity through the driver card;
speed and distance travelled;
vehicle position and border crossings, in line with the functions of the smart version;
events, faults and possible attempts to manipulate the equipment.

The European Commission explains the equipment’s role and functions on its official page about tachographs in road transport.

Driving and rest rules for van drivers

Once a vehicle falls within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, the driver must observe the core EU limits used in road transport:

a maximum of 9 hours of driving per day, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week;
a maximum of 56 driving hours in one week and 90 hours over two consecutive weeks;
a break of at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving; the break may be split into 15 + 30 minutes, in that order;
a normal daily rest period of at least 11 hours, which may be reduced to at least 9 hours under the conditions set by the regulation;
a normal weekly rest period of at least 45 hours; a reduction to a minimum of 24 hours must be compensated later.

TAKT calculation: why fleets may need up to 25 additional drivers

If each driver can cover fewer productive hours because of the new limits, the number of people needed to maintain the same volume does not rise in a simple linear way. The illustrative calculation uses the following formula: additional requirement = 100 ÷ remaining capacity − 100.

with a 10% reduction in capacity, 90% remains: 100 ÷ 0.90 = 111.1, or approximately 11 additional drivers;
with a 15% reduction, 85% remains: 100 ÷ 0.85 = 117.6, or approximately 18 additional drivers;
with a 20% reduction, 80% remains: 100 ÷ 0.80 = 125, or 25 additional drivers.

How to interpret the calculation: this is a scenario model, not a forecast that automatically applies to every fleet. The actual impact depends on routes, loads, waiting times, shift organisation, vehicle utilisation and any applicable legal exemptions.

“Many transport operators see the change only in terms of installing a tachograph, but the effect may be broader. Compliance with driving and rest times can reduce available operating capacity and create an additional staffing requirement. We estimate that interest in recruiting employees from outside the European Union could rise by 20–30%, while India and the Gulf region remain important markets for covering the shortage.”
— Cosmin Șerban, Managing Director & Co-Founder, TAKT Recruitment

What penalties can operators and drivers face?

In Romania, Government Ordinance No 37/2007 classifies infringements according to their seriousness. Very serious infringements include using a vehicle without an approved tachograph or with a generation or version that does not meet the legal requirements, fraudulent use of the driver card, and falsifying or destroying data.

For the most serious infringements, fines may reach RON 12,000. In certain roadside-control situations, the authorities may immobilise the vehicle until the legal conditions for continuing the journey have been met.

Before quoting a fine, consult the current Romanian text of Government Ordinance No 37/2007 in the Legislative Portal and verify the exact legal classification of the infringement.

Compliance checklist for companies operating vans above 2.5 tonnes

Check the maximum permissible mass of each vehicle combination, including any trailer or semi-trailer.
Classify journeys as domestic transport, international transport, cabotage, transport for hire or reward, or own-account transport.
Confirm whether an exemption applies to the specific operation and document the reasoning.
Install and calibrate a G2V2 smart tachograph at an authorised workshop if the vehicle is covered by the rules.
Provide driver cards and training on correct tachograph use.
Rework route and shift planning around the limits on driving, breaks and rest.
Download, store and review data periodically, then calculate the actual staffing requirement from your own operations.

Why demand for experienced drivers is increasing

The new rules favour candidates who understand European legislation, can use the tachograph correctly and can adapt quickly to an operator’s procedures. For companies, prior experience shortens onboarding and reduces the risk of penalties or operational disruption.

According to TAKT Recruitment’s internal data, requests from companies for foreign workers have increased three- to fourfold over the past two years, with transport and logistics among the sectors showing the strongest demand. Operators continue to look first for candidates in Romania, but the local supply remains insufficient for some projects.

India and the Gulf states offer a pool of candidates with experience in international transport and long-distance work. Many have worked in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain or Kuwait, speak English and are familiar with strict safety procedures and operational discipline.

How TAKT Recruitment selects drivers in India

Selection is not based on a CV alone. Candidates are assessed through document and criminal-record checks, interviews in English and practical tests. In the training centres, testing is carried out on trucks and buses at a professional driving facility under live video supervision.

identity, experience and document checks;
an English-language interview and assessment of availability for long-term contracts;
manoeuvring, reversing, parking and controlled-driving tests;
training on Romanian and European legislation, tachographs and driving-time rules;
support with immigration and lawful operational integration in Romania.

Watch an example of a practical test at the TAKT Logistics centre.

For the complete process, read TAKT’s guide to recruiting non-EU professional drivers, from selection to onboarding.

Recruiting non-EU workers after Emergency Ordinance No 32/2026

Alongside the extension of the tachograph rules, Romanian Emergency Ordinance No 32/2026 introduced a new framework for foreign nationals’ access to the Romanian labour market. Among other provisions, it regulates the shortage-occupation list, the registration and authorisation of employers and placement agencies, an electronic platform, and clearer requirements for the contracts used in the process.

The new system is intended to make the process more transparent and controllable, but implementation is taking place in stages and companies must check the procedures that apply on the submission date. Transport companies should align recruitment planning with both operational requirements and the immigration and authorisation timetable.

Official source: Romanian Emergency Ordinance No 32/2026 on foreign nationals’ access to the labour market.

TAKT Recruitment’s analysis in the media

TAKT Recruitment’s estimate that fleets may require up to 25 additional drivers for every 100 vans, together with the broader impact of the new rules, was covered on 23 July 2026 by Bursa, Ziua Cargo and Wall-Street.ro. This expanded article adds exemptions, official sources, the calculation method and a compliance checklist.

Frequently asked questions about tachographs for vans

When do tachographs become mandatory for vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes?

From 1 July 2026 for international freight transport or cabotage for hire or reward, subject to the conditions of EU legislation.

Which tachograph must be installed?

Covered vehicles must be fitted with a second-generation smart tachograph, known as G2V2 or smart tachograph version 2.

Does the 2.5-tonne threshold include a trailer?

Yes. Maximum permissible mass is calculated for the vehicle or vehicle combination and includes any trailer or semi-trailer.

Do the new rules apply to domestic van transport?

The extension from 1 July 2026 concerns international freight transport and cabotage. For other operations, the applicable legislation and any exemptions must be checked.

Is own-account transport exempt?

It may be exempt when it is not performed for hire or reward, is carried out on the company’s or driver’s own account, and driving is not the driver’s main activity. The specific situation must be verified.

What break is required after driving?

The driver must take a break of at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving. The break may be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes.

What is the fine for not having the required tachograph in Romania?

Depending on the infringement and its seriousness, Government Ordinance No 37/2007 provides for penalties of up to RON 12,000. In certain cases, the vehicle may also be immobilised.

Why might fleets need more drivers?

Compliance with driving times, breaks and rest periods can reduce the productive hours available per driver. To maintain the same volume, some fleets may need additional shifts or employees.

Conclusion: compliance and workforce planning must go together

Mandatory tachographs for vans in 2026 affect technical compliance, route organisation and staffing at the same time. Companies that review their fleets, exemptions, journey planning and operational data early can limit disruption and make a realistic assessment of whether additional personnel will be required.

TAKT Recruitment recruits, tests, trains and integrates drivers and other skilled workers from Asia and the Gulf region. For C, CE, D and DE licence categories, as well as technical and logistics roles, the process can include selection, practical testing, training, certification, immigration and onboarding in Romania.

Do you need drivers for transport and logistics? Talk to the TAKT Recruitment team about candidate profiles, testing, recruitment timelines and lawful onboarding in Romania: foreign worker recruitment services.