A tachograph in your van? We download the data for you – remotely and in line with the rules

Under the changes introduced by the Mobility Package, from 1 July 2026 transport companies are required to have second-generation smart tachographs (G2V2) in vehicles that:

• are used for the carriage of goods by road for hire or reward in international road transport or cabotage,
• have a GVW, including a trailer or semi-trailer, of more than 2.5 tonnes.

From that point, hauliers are also required to ensure regular downloads of the tachograph and driver cards used to monitor the activity of the people driving such vehicles. They must also archive the downloaded data securely. Meeting these obligations is made much easier by remote tachograph and driver card download for vans, one of the features of the Navifleet system.

To find out more about the changes to the rules on tachographs in vans that take effect on 1 July 2026, see the following articles on our blog:

• Tachographs in vans – what you need to know about the new rules
• Tachographs in vans – the 2026 changes nobody is talking about yet

Under the rules, hauliers operating vans that must be fitted with a digital tachograph are required to download driver cards every 28 days. This is the maximum interval between downloads – the gaps between them cannot be any longer. The Navifleet system, which lets you set up remote driver card download for vans, downloads and archives the data once every 14 days, so there is no risk of the required DDD files being missing during an inspection.

Besides regular driver card downloads, a transport company must also ensure regular downloads of data from the digital tachograph in the van. The rules state that these downloads must take place at least once every 90 days.

Rolling out the Navifleet system to enable remote download of data from the tachograph memory and driver cards used in vans is the right decision for operators whose vehicles must be fitted with a second-generation smart tachograph (G2V2) from 1 July 2026. That means transport companies carrying out international road haulage or cabotage for hire or reward using vans with a GVW above 2.5 tonnes. Importantly, the tachograph requirement also applies to combinations such as a van and trailer whose combined GVW exceeds 2.5 tonnes.

When are tachographs and driver cards not required in vans? The new rules taking effect on 1 July 2026 do not apply to, among others:

• vans with a GVW of up to 3.5 tonnes used solely for domestic transport,
• vans used for domestic or international passenger transport, provided they carry no more than 9 people including the driver.

Some people wonder whether tachograph data can be downloaded remotely from a van, and whether the driver card can be read remotely too. In both cases the answer is: yes – all it takes is the Navifleet system. With it, a company can successfully download data from the digital tachograph and driver cards in its vans remotely.

How does remote download of driver cards and tachographs in vans work with the Navifleet system? It is an automated process that delivers convenience, saves time and keeps you fully compliant with the rules in force.

Remote download of data from the digital tachograph and driver cards in vans takes place, as a rule, with no input from the fleet manager – automatically and to a set schedule. That removes the risk of missing a mandatory download deadline. If you ever need to, you can download a DDD file manually: simply select the vehicle or driver and request a download.

What matters to a transport company is that the data obtained through remote download of driver cards and tachograph memory from the van is securely archived on Navifleet servers for 18 months. Users get easy online access to neatly organised DDD files, so the information they need can be found quickly in the event of an inspection.

Remote download of DDD files from the tachograph and driver cards in vans is also a proven way to make sure the downloaded data always reaches the person responsible for driver settlements on time. Once the data for a given period is complete, the Navifleet system automatically sends it to the e-mail address you choose, such as your settlement office.

By opting for Navifleet's remote download of DDD files from the digital tachograph in its vans, a transport company can ensure proper recording and settlement of driver working time. Access to complete, accurate data makes it possible to keep compliant records, calculate pay precisely and prepare correct payrolls efficiently. Depending on the chosen model of working with Navifleet:

• driver settlements are handled in-house using the EwiSystem software – with expert guidance on hand, so any problems can be ironed out,
• driver settlements are handled by the specialists at EwiCenter, keeping the haulier's involvement in this area to a minimum.

Whichever option you choose, online tachograph download from vans and driver settlements with Navifleet are a reliable way to stay compliant and to automate the entire settlement process, from remote DDD file download right through to finished payroll.

Making fleet management easier, the Navifleet system is the right choice for anyone interested in remote tachograph download for vans. The starting point for downloading DDD files from driver cards and tachograph memory with it is fitting telematics in the vehicle. This technology makes it possible not only to carry out data downloads on time without bringing the vehicle back to base, but also to achieve broader remote control of the tachograph and of the drivers using the van. The Navifleet system offers many telematics-based features, including GPS vehicle tracking and real-time driver working time control.

Fitting the necessary equipment in the vehicle, including a GPS tracker and a TMR module, opens the way to remote download of data from the digital tachograph in the van. After that, all it takes is a company card in a reader connected to a computer and the TachoReader program running in the background, and driver cards and tachograph memory are downloaded with no active involvement from the fleet manager or the driver. The downloaded data lands on the computer and is automatically sent to the Navifleet system, where it can be viewed, downloaded or e-mailed to any address at any time.

The Navifleet system, which enables remote download from tachographs and driver cards in vans, brings a transport company many benefits. What does a haulier stand to gain by rolling it out?

An automated download process for driver cards and tachograph memory
Remote download of driver cards and tachograph memory from the van is automated and follows a schedule set in advance. This saves time while minimising the risk of missed deadlines and incomplete data. As a result, an inspection at your company will not end in heavy fines.

No need for physical access to the vehicle to carry out a download
With the Navifleet system, downloading the tachograph or driver card remotely does not require bringing the vehicle back to base or wasting time looking for a particular vehicle in the yard. Online DDD file download for vans lets you retrieve data even while the driver is out on the road. No more time spent on manual downloads, and no more worrying about whether the vehicle will make it back to the depot before the next deadline. Everything happens automatically, remotely and with minimal involvement from both the fleet manager and the driver.

Secure data archiving
The Navifleet system provides not only remote download of tachograph memory and driver cards for vans, but also proper archiving of the downloaded data. Users can access it at any time – the DDD files are neatly organised, making it easy to find the information needed at any given moment. It is worth noting that data archiving on Navifleet servers is fully secure and compliant with the rules.

Driver settlements on time and by the book
Another reason remote tachograph download for vans pays off is the chance to streamline the driver settlement process. DDD files for a given period are automatically sent to the person responsible for settlements, so they can complete their work on time. Importantly, when working with Navifleet you can entrust driver settlements to the specialists at EwiCenter, who will make sure the monthly payroll is prepared in line with the rules.

The Navifleet system is therefore the ideal solution for anyone who wants every driver card and tachograph memory download to happen automatically and within the required deadline, with the downloaded data properly archived and delivered on time to the person handling driver settlements.

The GPS tracker is fitted by connecting it to the vehicle's FMS connector (the standard vehicle communication interface) or – depending on the vehicle model – directly to the tachograph.

After fitting, the installer contacts us to verify that data is being received correctly and in full. If everything is in order, the device starts transmitting data, which becomes available in your customer account. From then on you can use our full range of services and features.

You can count on our technical support at every stage of fitting and use. We are here to help you grow your company's logistics.