New tachograph law 2026
Will transport costs rise with the new tachograph law?

In some cases, yes. But it will depend on the load, the distance, and the chosen solution.

The new tachograph law will change the way many international van transport operations are planned, particularly for light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 2,500 kg.

As of July 1, 2026, these vehicles, when used for international transport or cabotage, will be subject to stricter rules regarding tachographs, driving times, and rest periods.

For customers, one of the most important questions is simple:

Will transport prices go up?

The answer is: for some services, yes. Especially in urgent, dedicated, and long-distance international transport.

The new legislation does not just change the documentation. It changes the way a van can operate over long distances.

Until now, many international express van transport services benefited from greater flexibility. Under the new rules, drivers are subject to driving limits, mandatory breaks, and rest periods that must be observed.

This means that, on some routes, the same distance may require more time, more planning, or more resources.

The main factors that can increase the price

  • Fewer driving hours per driver. Due to legal limits on driving and rest, a driver cannot drive continuously over long distances.
  • Two drivers for urgent transport services. In long-distance urgent transport, using two drivers can be a way to keep the vehicle moving for longer periods while complying with legal regulations.
  • Investment in tachographs and management systems. The vehicles covered must be equipped with smart tachographs.
  • Lower availability of prepared suppliers. Not all suppliers will be ready at the same time to meet the new obligations.
  • Greater operational planning. Urgent international shipments can no longer be calculated based solely on distance and average speed.

It will be necessary to consider:

  • pickup time;
  • total distance;
  • type of vehicle;
  • cargo weight and dimensions;
  • number of drivers;
  • mandatory breaks;
  • rest periods;
  • possibility of transshipment or transfer;
  • delivery windows;
  • legal route restrictions.

This additional planning increases complexity but also makes transport safer, more predictable, and more transparent.

FAQs: New Tachograph Law

Which modes of transport will be most affected?

The impact on the price will not be the same for all services.

Domestic transport, small loads, shorter routes, or shipments requiring greater flexibility may see a lesser impact. In some cases, it will be possible to find alternatives that strike a better balance between delivery time and cost.

The greatest impacts are expected to be felt in international transport using vans exceeding 2,500 kg, particularly when three conditions occur simultaneously:

  • long distance;
  • very urgent deadline;
  • or the need for a dedicated van without transshipments.


In these cases, maintaining speed may require special solutions.

Alfaloc solutions—solutions like Foguete — that keep pace with your urgent delivery needs.

The services most affected by the new legislation will be long-distance international urgent transport using vans weighing between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg.

How can the impact on the price be reduced?

Do you need to know what the impact on your transport price will be?

DependerĂ¡ sempre de todas as variĂ¡veis como o local de carga, a tipologia de mercadoria, o peso, a urgĂªncias, etc… Em muitos casos, o serviço Low Cost Internacional para mercadorias pequenas e a Partilha para paletes, sĂ£o as opções mais econĂ³micas.

O transporte mais rĂ¡pido Ă© sempre o melhor?

NĂ£o necessariamente. AtĂ© porque os horĂ¡rios de carga e descarga, podem influenciar esse conceito de urgĂªncia. Assumindo que procura mesmo essa urgĂªncia, mesmo dentro de tempos de trĂ¢nsito curtos, hĂ¡ diferentes soluções de transporte. Mas se o envio nĂ£o for urgente, pode optar por soluções mais econĂ³micas mantendo um elevado nĂ­vel de qualidade.

Vale a pena escolher transporte dedicado?

The best way to reduce the impact is to plan each shipment better. Whenever possible, we recommend that the client provide detailed information regarding:

  • cargo weight and dimensions;
  • actual urgency of the transport;
  • collection window;
  • delivery window;
  • possibility of transshipment or lack thereof;
  • sensitivity of the merchandise;
  • consequences of a delay;
  • flexibility regarding the deadline.

With this information, alfaloc can propose the most suitable solution, avoiding unnecessary costs.

FAQs: New Tachograph Law

Como escolher entre transporte expresso e camiĂ£o diĂ¡rio, por exemplo?

O transporte expresso privilegia a rapidez, enquanto o camiĂ£o diĂ¡rio oferece uma melhor relaĂ§Ă£o custo/peso para cargas maiores.

TambĂ©m a dimensĂ£o e a tipologia de carga, poderĂ£o obrigar a uma soluĂ§Ă£o dedicada. 

Speak to the alfaloc team.

We analyze the cargo, route, timeframe, and shipping requirements to present the most suitable solution, featuring a realistic transit time and pricing tailored to the operation.

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