Masterclass II Tachograph Manipulation — ROADPOL and ECR EGTC in Hasselt, Belgium

From 20 to 24 October 2025, the city of Hasselt in Belgium hosted the Masterclass II Tachograph Manipulation. This specialised training programme was jointly organised by the European Roads Policing Network (ROADPOL) and Euro Contrôle Route European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (ECR EGTC), with the support of the European Commission, Hi Flanders, and the City of Hasselt (Stad Hasselt). Experts from the European Labour Authority (ELA) also contributed valuable insights on cooperation and enforcement across the European Union.

This second and final masterclass of 2025 brought together 17 participants from 11 European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. The aim of the training was to strengthen cross-border cooperation and enforcement capacity in detecting and preventing tachograph manipulation.

Why This Masterclass Matters

Tachographs play a vital role in ensuring road safety, fair competition, and driver welfare across Europe. Manipulating these systems undermines all three, allowing unfair business practices, increasing risks for drivers, and compromising safety on European roads. By equipping enforcement officers with the latest technical knowledge and investigative tools to detect tachograph fraud, this masterclass directly contributes to:

• Safer roads: Preventing manipulation helps reduce fatigue-related accidents and ensures compliance with rest and driving time regulations.
• Fair competition: Effective enforcement ensures a level playing field for law-abiding transport operators.
• European cooperation: Shared training fosters consistency and collaboration between enforcement agencies in different Member States.

Rob Wiggers, trainer and enforcement expert representing ECR EGTC and the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate of the Netherlands (ILT), said: “The more knowledge and experience we share, the better enforcement officers can detect manipulation during controls. Knowledge exchange is key to improving road safety across Europe.”

A Week of Knowledge Exchange and Practical Learning

The multiday programme combined technical presentations, practical demonstrations, and interactive workshops, giving participants both a solid technical foundation and hands-on experience.

Day 1 — Understanding the Technology

The first day of the masterclass focused on understanding the various types of digital tachographs. Trainer Sven Kilian from ROADPOL and the German Police introduced participants to both first- and second-generation smart tachographs. He explored the history and evolution of the tachograph in depth, with particular attention to the technical data and defining characteristics of each generation.

The sessions provided participants with a solid foundation for the days ahead, preparing them to apply their technical understanding in practical exercises.

Day 2 — Detecting Fraud in Practice

The second day of the masterclass on tachograph manipulation in Hasselt began with the final part of the technical data on the smart tachograph, presented by Sven Kilian from ROADPOL and the German Police. Afterwards, Frederic Martin, trainer from ROADPOL and the Belgian Police, introduced participants to the various possibilities of tachograph fraud and explained how such manipulations can be detected and proven during daily roadside checks.

In the afternoon, participants were divided into four groups and took part in workshops designed to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice.

Day 3 — Real Cases, Future Obligations, and the Role of the European Labour Authority

The third and final day of the masterclass on tachograph manipulation in Hasselt began with the completion of the final workshops, which were then reviewed and discussed with the entire group. This session provided participants with new insights into the technical data and various forms of manipulation involving digital tachographs.

The programme continued with presentations by trainers Peter Rothgängel and Rob Wiggers from ECR EGTC. These focused on real cases of tachograph manipulation, the forthcoming obligation to use Smart Tachographs Version 2 for international goods transport vehicles over 2.5 tonnes, and the installation of tachographs in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) using M1N1 adapters, which will become increasingly relevant for cross-border enforcement.

At the end of the training, all participants received certificates of participation, marking the conclusion of an intensive and successful week of learning and collaboration.

Continuous Impact Over the Years

Over the years, the ROADPOL and ECR EGTC Masterclass has trained hundreds of enforcement professionals across Europe, helping them detect and prevent tachograph manipulation more effectively and consistently. Peter Rothgängel, trainer and enforcement expert representing ECR EGTC and the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility in Germany, said: “This masterclass has trained countless professionals across Europe, building not just technical expertise, but also a shared sense of purpose in protecting fair mobility and road safety. Every edition helps us take another step forward in ensuring consistent, effective enforcement throughout.”

Looking Ahead

The cooperation between ROADPOL and ECR EGTC continues to strengthen Europe’s enforcement community. Programmes like this ensure that officers remain well-trained, informed, and united in their mission to safeguard fair and safe road transport.

The next Masterclasses on Tachograph Manipulation are already scheduled for June and October 2026, once again at Hostel H in Hasselt.

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