From July 2026, new European tachograph regulations will apply to vans with a maximum authorised mass of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes operating internationally. The rules will require affected vehicles to be fitted with second-generation smart tachographs that automatically record driving time, speed, distance travelled and driver activity.
The measures are designed to strengthen compliance with drivers’ hours rules, improve road safety and protect driver welfare, but they are also expected to place additional pressure on vehicle availability and service capacity across the sector, which will negatively impact on costs and see rates increasing as a result.
NIC has updated all relevant vehicles to ensure we comply with these new regulations and improved safety for our drivers.
The changing environment will see smaller vans with reduced load capacity remain in the market. These vehicles will primarily handle and move small boxes up to 1-2plts not exceeding 300kgs.
For large vans, the changes will have a number of effects such as,
• Longer transit times.
• Maintaining existing express transit time but relying on two drivers instead of one.
• Switch overs i.e. one vehicle meeting another on route to switch or hand over the consignment.
At the forefront of the service required will be our customers’ requirements and expectations. Unfortunately, however these changes will bring cost increases to the express van market which in turn will lead to higher costs for customers.
