Motorists have only until the end of the day today to comply with the new driving lawsAn EU driving law will come into force in the UK (Image: Puneet Vikram Singh, Nature and Concept photographer, via Getty Images)
A new driving law comes into force this week across the UK with motorists cautioned they may have overlooked it. Road users and drivers are being informed that fresh driving legislation has taken effect for those operating larger vehicles.
From Tuesday, August 19, 2025, drivers of “in-scope” vehicles face a regulatory amendment. On or after 19 August 2025, a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles currently equipped with a smart tachograph 1 that are undertaking international journeys.
If the vehicle is operating solely within the UK, then the vehicle can continue using the smart tachograph 1 that has originally been installed. It comes as drivers face a £100 fine over a little known parking rule at popular UK spots.
The modifications arrive as EU regulations become established in the UK. EU rules were revised by the Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs, International Road Haulage and Licensing of Operators (Amendment) Regulations 2022 to specify the implementation dates for the smart tachograph 2.
Nevertheless, due to a component of the smart tachograph 2 not being accessible by 21 August 2023, which is the implementation date for newly registered vehicles being used internationally, the Regulation was subsequently amended by the Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Amendment) Regulations 2023 to permit a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 to be utilised. There’s another change on the horizon for next year, reports Birmingham Live.
From 1 July 2026, newly registered goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes undertaking international journeys for hire and reward must be fitted with either a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2.
However, if the vehicle is being used for an international journey for the driver or company’s own account, and driving isn’t the main activity of the driver, there’s no obligation to install a tachograph.
Furthermore, if the vehicle weighs between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes and operates solely within the UK, there remains no requirement to fit a tachograph into the vehicle.