Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 8 November (HL Deb col 588), what consideration they have given to delaying the entry into force of the new provisions relating to the Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs, International Road Haulage and Licensing of Operators (Amendment) Regulations 2022 until (1) there is sufficient awareness of their provisions among UK operators, (2) the costs have been met, and (3) the question of supply has been addressed.

The implementation dates for the introduction of the smart 2 tachograph are the dates agreed in the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and are applicable not only to UK operators undertaking journeys in Europe, but EU operators undertaking journeys in Europe and in the UK. Any delay would require the European Commission’s agreement to make changes to the TCA. It is the Government’s position not to reopen negotiations on the TCA.

My Department will continue to engage with industry stakeholders to raise awareness of the implementation dates for installing the smart 2 tachograph into new vehicles from August 2023 and in older vehicles and light goods vehicles from 2024-26. In addition to raising awareness of the need for operators to cover the cost of installing a smart 2 tachograph in their vehicles if they want to continue to operate in Europe after these dates.

On the question of supply of smart 2 tachographs, the UK Mission to the EU is in contact with the technical experts on tachographs in the European Commission to seek assurances on the availability of tachographs for UK operators. The European Commission has been assessing the situation and has not indicated concerns or that it will delay the deadline for implementation in Europe. We will continue to monitor the situation.