Initiative of Minister Regev: The Digital Tachograph is Launched
Starting from the second half of 2026, new heavy vehicles will be required to install a digital tachograph
Minister Regev: “The new regulations are expected to reduce the involvement of heavy vehicles in road accidents, improve the employment conditions of drivers, and enhance road safety.”
A giant step forward for road safety. Starting from the second half of 2026, new trucks and heavy vehicles (8 tons and above), entering the road for the first time, will be required to be equipped with a digital tachograph, with the aim of improving road safety, increasing supervision in the transportation industry, ensuring proper working conditions for drivers, and creating fair competition in the industry.
In preparation for this significant move, the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety has begun a pilot program to implement the digital tachograph in dozens of trucks and vehicles (8 tons and above) belonging to transport and bus companies across the country. The pilot is being conducted in cooperation with several bus and transport companies, vehicle importers, authorized service garages, and supervision and enforcement authorities.
Within the framework of the pilot, the full operation of the system will be examined, from its installation in vehicles, through the generation of coding and issuance of tachograph cards, calibration of the device on the vehicle, to supervision and enforcement in the field. The findings of the pilot will serve as a basis for the implementation of the digital tachograph in Israel.
The mandatory installation of a digital tachograph in new heavy vehicles imported into Israel became possible after Israel officially joined the international AETR agreement, which aims to ensure close supervision of driving and rest hours for professional drivers, and to prevent one of the main causes of fatal road accidents – driver fatigue. Joining the agreement is a central component in aligning Israel with European and international standards and enables the operation of the system in Israel.
The digital tachograph is an advanced monitoring device installed in heavy vehicles that allows for accurate recording of driving data: driving times, stops, speed, and various operating conditions. The digital tachograph records driving data in real-time and stores it in a control and supervision system of the fleet manager or in a database. Unlike the old analog tachograph, which recorded information on paper discs and was susceptible to manipulation, the information is stored in an encrypted and secure manner. The data is available for viewing by the driver, employer, and enforcement authorities, and provides a transparent and reliable basis for supervision, tracking, control, and enforcement.
Using this new technology, it can be ensured that drivers do not exceed the permitted driving and rest hours, and that life-threatening offenses are not committed. Furthermore, the digital device improves the employment conditions of drivers by protecting them from pressure to work long hours in violation of the law, and helps create fairer competition in the transportation industry.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “The digital tachograph is a significant breakthrough for professional drivers who drive heavy vehicles and spend long hours on the road. The new regulations are expected to reduce the involvement of heavy vehicles in road accidents, improve the employment conditions of drivers, and enhance road safety. After years of delays, I am bringing to Israel the technology that will change the rules of the game. Israel’s accession to the AETR agreement is an important strategic step that places us on par with leading countries worldwide.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: “This is another significant step towards strengthening the safety of truck and bus drivers, and all road users. The digital tachograph will contribute to improving safety on Israel’s roads, will help ensure compliance with labor laws, and will provide enforcement authorities and employers with advanced supervision and control tools, based on proven international experience. Israel’s accession to the international agreement and the implementation of the system in the country represent a real leap forward in the supervision of heavy vehicles and public transportation, and mark a new era of adherence to working and rest hours in accordance with the law, alongside promoting fair competition in the industry, while maintaining road safety.”
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