What is changing in the TSL industry on July 1, 2026?

Companies carrying out international transport with vans, i.e. vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, will have to face obligations such as:

• installation of second-generation G2V2 intelligent tachographs in vehicles,
• application of EU regulations on driving and rest times for drivers,
• application of the provisions on posting of drivers in the case of certain cross-border operations.

For many carriers, this is a completely new development with far-reaching consequences. The effects of the regulation are also being felt by customers of transport companies.

Consequences for the van sector

Carriers have been waiting, and some are still waiting, for the installation of G2V2 smart tachographs in vans. Vehicles used in cross-border operations must be equipped with special, certified devices worth approximately PLN 4,000 per unit (excluding installation). Additionally, driver and company cards must be issued, and tachograph data management software must be purchased and implemented.

Staff training is also essential. Priority should be given to training van drivers to ensure they understand how to properly use the tachograph and comply with driving and rest time regulations.

A significant preparatory step was the reorganization of cross-border vans operations. Carriers had to update their routes, schedules, administrative procedures, and price lists, taking into account EU requirements regarding driver driving and rest times, rules regarding regular returns to their place of residence or company headquarters, and regulations regarding posting.

Are carriers ready for the revolution?

In June 2026, the vans sector entered the final stage of adapting to the changes. With so little time left, all carriers operating international road transport vans should be fully prepared to legally hit the road on July 1st. At least in theory. In practice, adapting to the new EU regulations has proven to be a significant operational and financial challenge for many companies. Recent research from the International Road Transport Union (IRU)(1) shows that nearly half of companies, despite legal awareness, are not yet prepared for July 1st. Less than 28% of carriers report readiness. The most concerning data is the installation of second-generation G2V2 smart tachographs. It turns out that 88% of vans are still waiting for modernization! Does this mean that companies missed the boat by waiting too long? IRU respondents disagree. The limited availability of services that install tachographs that meet the requirements, the high cost of installing such devices and technical barriers as not all vans are capable of being equipped with tachographs.

How did customers react to the new realities?

Last year, the van market was already concerned about its future, which we reported in more detail here. The profitability of international routes operated for years, taking into account drivers’ limited driving time and imposed rest periods, has become questionable. Many micro and small entrepreneurs with a fleet of vans, especially leased ones, have been forced to raise prices which naturally caused resistance among customers who, although most of them are aware of the regulations coming into force, do not want to pay more for orders. However, new realities are inevitable, stemming from regulations in force across the European Union and affecting all market participants. The only sensible solution seems to be increasing funding for transport when planning budgets for the coming years, especially when the business partner is a small carrier with a fleet of vans.

A challenge or an opportunity to professionalize the market?

The mandatory installation of tachographs in vans carrying out international transport means the end of the current operating model for many companies in the transport, forwarding, and logistics industry. However, these new obligations should not be viewed solely as additional burdens. Until now, vans with a GVW of 2.5-3.5 tonnes could run practically non-stop and they did. Unlike a truck driver, a van driver did not have standard working hours, which was, in a way, an invitation to abuse. The driver could practically not leave the cabin for weeks. Therefore, the upcoming changes seem to be a long-awaited step towards professionalizing the van market and adapting it to the uniform standards applicable in European road transport. For carrier customers, the new regulations can be an impetus to build cooperation based on greater security and transparency. Transport companies that have had to raise rates due to the upcoming changes to maintain financial liquidity or simply survive should present the new terms to their customers as soon as possible and openly communicate the reasons for the price increases.

What to watch out for in the final stages?

Preparations will accelerate in the coming days. Businesses still preparing for the upcoming changes should remember a few key principles.

• Not every van driving abroad needs to have a tachograph. Exceptions are provided for in Article 3(aa) and Article 3(ha) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. The new regulations cover vehicles with a GVM of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes that perform international road haulage for hire or reward or cabotage.

• During inspection, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) written in the documents is the deciding factor. Authorities do not check the actual vehicle weight at the time of inspection. In the case of a combination vehicle (vehicle + trailer), the total permissible weight is relevant. 

• Installing a tachograph in a van before 1 July may mean that its use is mandatory. Such regulations apply, for example, in Germany. If a vehicle already has a tachograph, it must be used. In addition, the driver must have a driver card.

• Caution should be exercised when purchasing vans weighing 2.49 tonnes. Some carriers have begun looking for ways to circumvent EU regulations, focusing on type-approved vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 2.5 tons. At the expense of payload and driver comfort, tachograph installation can be avoided, provided the vehicle and the assignment actually meet the exemption requirements. It’s possible that the European Union will soon extend the regulations to even lighter vehicles, or even all vans.

(1) https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/eu-cross-border-transport-rules-extend-vans-what-you-need-know