Driving without an approved tachograph in the Mediterranean Corridor can have serious consequences:

  • In Spain, a failure to comply with regulation 1054/2014 can result in a fine of up to €2,001.
  • In France, the penalties can be up to one year in prison and a fine of €30,000.
  • Italy imposes fines ranging from €866 to €3,464.
  • Slovenia applies fines of up to €1,500.
  • In Hungary, the penalty reaches HUF 800,000 which is around €2,057.01.

 

 

The Mediterranean Corridor crosses six countries of the European Union: Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary for more than 6000 km. This route plays a fundamental role for companies engaged in road freight transport as it guarantees seamless connectivity between ports, cities, industrial and logistics areas.

If vehicles involved in freight transport cross this route, it is important that they are aware of Regulation 1054/2014, which establishes that vehicles registered from 21st August 2023, must have a Smart Tachograph Version 2 installed.

There was a transition period agreed in the face of a possible lack of stock to meet all the demand for registrations of vehicles for professional use, which opened the door to applying flexibility in terms of inspection. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) suggested that the replacement of the Smart Tachograph Version 1 with a Smart Tachograph Version 2 in vehicles registered between 21st August 2023 and 31st December 2023 could be extended until 18th August 2025.

This extension of the transition period was intended to facilitate the gradual installation of the new device, and ensure that transport operators had sufficient time to comply with European regulations.

However, the countries of the European Union have already taken action and published the penalties for not driving on their roads with the approved tachograph. Here's a summary of them:

Spain

Vehicles registered for the first time between 21st August and 31st December 2023, under the pre-registration regime, which are equipped with a second-generation tachograph version 1, have until 18th August 2025 to replace it with a second-generation tachograph version 2.

Vehicles registered for the first time between 21st August and 31st December 2023 and which are not included in this pre-registration measure, the leniency proposal indicated by DG MOVE of the European Commission may be applied, i.e. they have until 18 August 2025 to replace it with a second-generation tachograph version 2.

In the event of a breakdown of a version 1 smart tachograph installed on a vehicle, registered before 21st August 2023, it will have to be replaced by a second-generation version 2 smart tachograph.

If the mandatory tachograph version is not available, an administrative penalty of €2,001 may be applied. In addition, the vehicle may be immobilized and the company/fleet/driver could face loss of good repute.  

France

Exceptional transitional arrangements were adopted for the registration of new vehicles equipped with second-generation version 1 smart tachographs, allowing heavy vehicles with a provisional registration certificate of type WW, valid and established no later than 20th August 2023, to circulate loaded under this provisional registration certificate.

The purpose of these exceptional transitional provisions was to respond to an unprecedented situation of massive influx of registration applications relating to heavy vehicles.

The maximum period of validity of such a provisional registration certificate is 6 months, meaning that the exception provided for in this order ends on 21st February 2024.

Forgery of electronic documents or data, providing false information, irregular use, modification of control devices or failure to install the corresponding tachograph is punishable by one year in prison and a fine of €30,000. In addition, your vehicle will be immobilized until the problem has been rectified.

Italy

Driving a vehicle without an approved tachograph will result in an administrative penalty ranging from €866 to €3,464. In addition, it is associated with a suspension of the driving license from fifteen days to three months.

The owner of the vehicle or transport authorisation can also be sanctioned with a fine ranging from €831 to €3,328, and will have to replace the equipment within 10 days.

Slovenia

The country has strictly adhered to the guidelines set by the European Commission. Slovenia has not experienced any significant difficulties in the supply of the new smart tachographs.

Failure to install the relevant tachograph, carries a significant financial penalty which according to current regulations, means drivers who do not have the required smart tachograph can face a fine of up to €1,500.

Hungary

Failure to have a version 2 second-generation smart tachograph installed within the specified timeframes can result in a significant fine in Hungary. According to the regulations, the penalty for this infringement is HUF 800,000 which at the current exchange rate, equates to approximately €2,057.01.

 

In summary, driving without an approved tachograph in the Mediterranean Corridor can have severe economic consequences. The penalties imposed in countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia and Hungary are significant, ranging from hefty administrative fines to potentially severe legal repercussions. To avoid such consequences and ensure compliance with European regulation 1054/2014, it is essential to equip vehicles with the second-generation V2 smart tachograph.

Fleets and transport companies need to make the necessary arrangements today to keep their operations running and ensure legality on their journeys along the Mediterranean Corridor, without the risk of being sanctioned!

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