International road transport is undergoing a broad process of legislative transformation, and Mobility Package 1 represents one of the most important reforms adopted at the European Union level in recent decades. Through the new rules introduced, the European Union aims to strengthen working and rest conditions for drivers, increase road safety, and ensure fair competition among transport operators. The term “Mobility Package 2” does not represent the official name of a single legislative act, but rather a commonly used expression in the transport sector when referring to the most recent set of introduced rules. This term describes the phase of consolidation and expansion of the reforms introduced in 2020 and covers the period of reforms implemented between 2024–2026.
An essential element of the reform brought by the mobility package is Regulation (EU) 2020/1054, which amends both Regulation (EC) 561/2006 on driving times and rest periods, and Regulation (EU) 165/2014 on tachographs in road transport. These changes have a direct impact on operators performing international road transport, including those using light commercial vehicles.
The most important change set to come into force on July 1, 2026 is the extension of the obligation to use tachographs and to comply with driving and rest time rules also to commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tons, when they carry out international road transport of goods, either for hire or reward or on own account.
The Mobility Package – objectives and principles
Adopted to reform the road transport sector in the European Union, the mobility package has three main directions:
1. Improving working and rest conditions for drivers;
2. Combating unfair competition practices;
3. Increasing the efficiency of controls and the digitalization of processes.
Through the measures introduced, the mobility package aims to create a uniform framework for the application of rules across all Member States, reducing differences in interpretation and enforcement.
Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 – essential changes
Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 is one of the central elements of the reform brought by the mobility package, as it modifies regulations regarding driving times and rest periods.
Weekly rest and rest conditions
The new rules reinforce the prohibition of taking regular weekly rest in the cabin. Employers are required to ensure adequate accommodation conditions for drivers, covering the associated costs.
Periodic return of drivers
Operators must organize activity so that drivers can return to their home or operational center every four weeks (or three, under certain conditions).
Digital monitoring
Through the mobility package, emphasis is placed on the use of smart tachographs to facilitate controls and reduce fraud.
Amendments to Regulation (EU) 165/2014 on tachographs
Another important element of the mobility package is the modernization of the tachograph framework.
Second-generation smart tachograph
The new devices are capable of automatically recording:
border crossings;
loading and unloading operations;
vehicle positioning at regular intervals.
This digitalization allows authorities to more easily identify international transport and cabotage operations.
Extension of obligations to vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons – applicable from July 1, 2026
One of the most significant changes introduced by the mobility package is the extension of the scope of Regulation (EC) 561/2006.
Starting with July 1, 2026, the obligation to use tachographs and comply with driving and rest time rules also extends to commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tons that perform international road transport of goods, either for hire or reward or on own account.
Until this change introduced by the mobility package, vehicles under 3.5 tons were generally not subject to the same strict obligations regarding tachographs and driving times in international transport.
This extension will particularly affect:
international courier companies;
express transport companies;
operators using vans for cross-border deliveries.
Regulation (EC) 561/2006 sets clear limits for organizing driver activity, defining driving and rest times as follows:
Daily driving: maximum 9 hours (extendable to 10 hours twice a week);
Weekly driving: maximum 56 hours;
Driving over two consecutive weeks: maximum 90 hours;
Mandatory break: 45 minutes after a maximum of 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving (can be split 15 + 30 minutes);
Daily rest: minimum 11 hours (reducible to 9 hours up to 3 times between two weekly rests);
Regular weekly rest: minimum 45 hours;
Reduced weekly rest: minimum 24 hours, with compensation obligation.
Practical impact of the new rules
Increase in operational costs
Implementing the provisions of the mobility package involves:
purchasing and installing compliant tachographs;
additional administrative costs;
training drivers and administrative staff.
Increased administrative responsibility
Operators must ensure:
periodic downloading of tachograph data;
archiving of .DDD files;
continuous monitoring of driving and rest times;
preparation for cross-border inspections.
Increased risk of penalties
Failure to comply with the rules imposed by the mobility package may lead to significant fines and severe administrative sanctions.
Digitalization – the key to compliance in the new legislative context
As legislative obligations extend to vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons, manual management of tachograph data becomes inefficient and risky. The increasing volume of data requires specialized digital solutions.
In this context, the Tacho Analytics solution from AROBS TrackGPS provides a complete tool for managing compliance with the rules introduced by the mobility package.
Tacho Analytics from AROBS TrackGPS – complete control over .DDD files
The solution is structured into three essential segments:
1. Automatic downloading of .DDD files
Tacho Analytics allows automatic and secure downloading of .DDD files both from the digital tachograph and from driver cards. Thus, operators reduce the risk of data loss and eliminate frequent manual interventions.
2. Automatic analysis according to European legislation
The platform analyzes data in relation to the provisions of Regulation (EC) 561/2006 and the changes introduced by the mobility package, identifying:
exceeding maximum driving time;
non-compliance with breaks;
recording errors;
potential risks of penalties.
3. Real-time interpretation and mobile application
A major advantage of the solution is the real-time interpretation of data, including via the mobile application. Fleet managers can receive alerts and make quick decisions to prevent rule violations.
In the context of extending obligations to vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons, this functionality becomes essential for operators managing mixed fleets.
Preparation for July 1, 2026
To comply with the requirements introduced by the mobility package, operators should start early:
1. Identifying vehicles subject to the new obligations;
2. Planning the installation of compliant tachographs;
3. Implementing a digital solution for data downloading and analysis;
4. Training drivers on new responsibilities;
5. Updating internal compliance procedures.
The mobility package redefines the legislative framework of international road transport in the European Union. Through Regulation (EU) 2020/1054 and the amendments to Regulations (EU) 165/2014 and (EC) 561/2006, the obligations regarding tachograph use and compliance with driving times extend, starting July 1, 2026, to commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons involved in international goods transport.
For operators, this change brings both challenges and opportunities. Compliance is no longer just a legal obligation, but becomes a strategic differentiator. By using solutions such as Tacho Analytics from AROBS TrackGPS — which covers the downloading, analysis, and real-time interpretation of .DDD files, including via the mobile application — companies can transform the requirements imposed by the mobility package into an operational and competitive advantage on the European market.
