Smart Tachographs up to 3.5t from 2026

Smart Tachographs up to 3.5t from 2026: Why Rising Express Transport Costs Require Smarter Carrier Selection

From1 July 2026, new EU regulations will require smart tachographs in light commercial vehicles weighing between2.5 and 3.5 tonnes that are engaged in international transport of goods or cabotage.¹

This marks a major shift for many operators and will significantly impact the cost structure, availability, and reliability of express transport services across Europe.

What’s changing with smart tachographs?

Smart tachographs have been mandatory for heavier trucks for several years. From mid-2026, however, this requirement will expand to vans and light commercial vehicles commonly used in express transport.

These devices automatically record:

• driving time,
• rest periods,
• location data,
• and compliance-related information.

As a result, operations will become far more regulated and transparent.

For many carriers, this is not just a technical upgrade. Vehicles that have traditionally operated with a high level of flexibility will now be subject to the same driving and rest-time rules as heavy trucks. This fundamentally changes how express transport is planned and executed.²

Why will this impact express transport costs

Under the new rules, drivers of vehicles between 2.5 t and 3.5 t must observe mandatory breaks and rest periods. This directly affects productivity and performance:

• The total annual mileage a vehicle can cover under express operations is expected to decrease significantly.
• Fixed costs such as leasing, insurance, vehicle depreciation, and driver wages will be spread across fewer kilometres.
• Transit times may increase, reducing the speed advantage that express transport has traditionally offered.

As a result, transport prices are expected to rise. Current industry estimates suggest cost increases of 20–25 % per kilometre, but the final impact remains uncertain.

This uncertainty is critical. No one yet knows how the market will fully react once the regulation takes effect. In reality, cost increases could be even higher, particularly during peak demand periods or in regions with capacity constraints.

Beyond higher prices: fewer options and less flexibility

Cost is not the only risk. Another potential consequence is a shortage of available transport capacity.

Some carriers may decide that operating light commercial vehicles under these stricter rules is no longer economically viable. Others may limit international operations or reduce express services altogether.

For shippers, this could mean:

• Fewer available carriers for urgent or short-notice shipments
• Less flexibility when planning transport
• Increased dependency on a smaller pool of reliable providers

In such an environment, relying on manual processes, personal contacts, or ad-hoc decision-making becomes a significant operational risk.

Higher costs demand smarter transport management

As express transport becomes more regulated, more expensive, and potentially less available, carrier selection becomes a critical success factor.

This is where the 4Shipper platform helps shippers stay in control:

• Centralised carrier offers: Collect and compare transport quotes in one place, without chasing carriers by phone or email.
• Clear cost comparison: Transparently evaluate prices alongside service quality and availability.
• Faster execution: Replace spreadsheets and fragmented communication with a structured, efficient process.
• Better documentation: Keep a full record of offers and decisions, supporting cost analysis and procurement transparency.³

MIGHT INTEREST YOU: Read Carrier Selection Tips to Cut Shipping Costs

Don’t let rising costs catch you off guard

The expansion of smart tachograph requirements is no longer a distant possibility – it’s a confirmed regulatory change that will reshape express transport.

With higher costs, stricter rules, and potential capacity shortages ahead, taking a proactive approach to transport management is no longer optional. Companies that prepare early and choose carriers based on data will be better equipped to handle these changes.

Rising express transport costs don’t have to mean losing control. See how 4Shipper helps you select the right carrier!

Source:

1. https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/stronger-and-more-unified-enforcement-eu-rules-international-road-transport-smart-tachograph-2025-08-19_en ↩︎
2. https://www.ela.europa.eu/assets/lcv2026/index.html ↩︎
3. https://swida.sk/en/smart-tachographs-up-to-3-5-tonnes-2026-changes/ ↩︎