The Department for Transport have yesterday issued an important update to the upcoming requirements for Smart Tachograph 2 installation and driver’s hours records for PSV’s when conducting journeys into the EU.
From 31 December 2024, new requirements will come into effect for some commercial international transport journeys involving PSV’s with more than 10 seats. These updates apply to operators conducting journeys between the UK and EU and form part of the UK’s international agreements under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the Interbus Agreement.
Key Points to Note
- Scope of Changes
- The changes apply only to PSVs operating international transport journeys between the UK and EU.
- Vehicles used solely within the UK remain unaffected and must continue to follow the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.
- AETR Rules for International Journeys
- In-scope PSVs on UK-EU journeys must comply with the AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules.
- The AETR rules largely align with the UK’s assimilated rules but with some differences such as:
- No Mobility Package Changes: Unlike the assimilated rules, the AETR does not include updates introduced by the EU Mobility Package in August 2020.
- Recording Period: The AETR continues to require a 28-day recording period for drivers’ records. The 56-day requirement under the EU Mobility Package does not apply.
- Understanding the TCA and Interbus Agreement
- The TCA does not include detailed rules for passenger transport drivers’ hours and tachographs. Instead, it refers to the Interbus Agreement, which requires compliance with the AETR or specific EU rules.
- The UK has confirmed that operators must follow the AETR rules for international journeys. To align with this:
- Domestic journeys will continue to follow the UK’s assimilated rules.
- International journeys between the UK and EU will follow the AETR rules.
- This approach has been agreed upon with the European Commission.
- Smart Tachographs
- PSVs equipped with Smart Tachograph 1 or 2 systems remain compliant with AETR requirements. These devices meet the standards for digital tachographs and include additional functionalities.
- The Department for Transport (DfT) is reviewing the current requirement for UK-registered vehicles with analogue or digital tachographs to retrofit a Smart Tachograph 2 by 31 December 2024. Enforcement of this requirement is on hold pending further updates.
- Domestic Transport Rules Unchanged
- PSVs operating solely on domestic UK journeys must continue to comply with the UK’s assimilated drivers’ hours rules. There are no changes to these rules or their enforcement.
Guidance and Support
Operators are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the AETR rules and ensure compliance for international journeys. Guidance on drivers’ hours and tachograph rules is available at Drivers’ hours: Overview – GOV.UK.
The UKCOA will provide updates on any further changes as they occur
Stephen Spendley- Director of Operations- UK Coach Operators Association – 07990 049832
