ROADPOL successfully concluded the first of its 2025 Masterclasses on the Smart Tachograph Evolution and Tackling Fraud, held in Hasselt, Belgium.
The event brought together enforcement experts from across Europe and featured top-level input from global tachograph manufacturer VDO. Thе highly specialised training was aimed at police officers and road inspection experts, offering in-depth learning and hands-on practice in the detection and prevention of tachograph manipulations in heavy goods and passenger transport vehicles.
Training
The training was delivered by ROADPOL’s seasoned instructors, Sven Killian (Rhineland-Palatinate Police, Germany) and Frederic Martin (Belgian Federal Police), who have led ROADPOL’s tachograph masterclasses since 2016. They were joined by two additional trainers from Euro Contrôle Route (ECR), enhancing the program’s technical depth and European scope. Participants explored the latest fraud techniques and focused intensively on digital tachograph generation 2, including the EU Mobility Package, and legal and technical frameworks around enforcement. The week included a combination of technical presentations, document analysis, and hands-on workshops on hardware checks and sender calibration.
Guests
A highlight of the event was the guest appearance by VDO, one of the world’s two largest tachograph manufacturers. Their experts provided an exclusive presentation on the newly approved DTCO 4.1a, offering insights into its advanced features, mandatory retrofitting requirements, and enforcement implications. Participants engaged directly with VDO specialists on the technical challenges and fraud prevention strategies concerning the Smart 2 tachograph. “VDO’s participation is invaluable. As one of the key players in tachograph manufacturing, their presence ensured our officers got the most current and practical knowledge,” commented Frederic Martin.
Participants
The March Masterclass welcomed 16 participants in total — 8 from ROADPOL member countries and 8 from ECR member states. The ROADPOL crew was from Cyprus, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Latvia, Belgium, Austria and Spain. The selection ensured a balanced mix of police officers and road inspectors, all with prior experience or basic understanding of tachographs and work/rest regulations.
Significance
The initiative is part of ROADPOL’s ongoing commitment to support road safety and fair competition in the transport sector. “With the surge in manipulation techniques, it is essential to empower enforcement officers with the latest know-how,” explained Martin. “Masterclasses like these are a cornerstone of ROADPOL’s strategy.” The next Masterclass is scheduled for 20–24 October 2025, again in Hasselt, and is already generating significant interest among enforcement professionals.