---
title: "France Enforces EU Van Freight Rules for 2.5-3.5t LCVs"
canonical: "https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-08-19/france-eu-freight-lcv-cross-border-rules-vans"
lang: "en"
type: "news"
source: "nakordoni.eu — live border queue data"
---

# France Enforces EU Van Freight Rules for 2.5-3.5t LCVs

19.08.2026 13:21    [Mira Kurhanska](https://nakordoni.eu/en/p/authors)     Editor: [Andrii Kurhanskyi](https://nakordoni.eu/en/p/authors)    IRU (International Road Transport Union)

(image: transportation, freight transport and vehicle concept - close up of truck on parking)Shutterstock / contributor 301539971 (shutterstock-standard)

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France has started applying the EU's harmonised rules for light commercial vehicles used in international freight transport. They cover vans and vehicle combinations with a gross weight above 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes that carry goods for hire or reward across borders.

##### Who must comply:

Operators that previously worked without a transport licence now fall under the same access-to-profession framework as heavy hauliers.

- **EU Community licence**: a certified copy must be carried in every vehicle.
- **Financial standing**: EUR 1,800 for the first van and EUR 900 for each additional one.
- **Transport manager**: a designated person holding a certificate of professional competence.
- **Stable establishment**: real premises and records in the country of registration.

##### Tachographs and driving time:

Since 1 July 2026 vans above 2.5 tonnes on international journeys must be fitted with a smart tachograph. Drivers must respect EU limits: 9 hours of daily driving, a 45-minute break, and weekly rest periods.

###### 🇺🇦 Carriers from Ukraine:

- Roadside checks by DREAL inspectors and the gendarmerie focus on the licence copy, driver card and posting declaration.
- Drivers from non-EU countries need a driver attestation issued to the operator.

##### Practical advice:

Build extra time into schedules. Document checks now take longer at the first EU entry point, and that delay adds to border queues. Companies planning runs to Western Europe should also review the [Dutch move from the eurovignette to a per-kilometre charge](https://nakordoni.eu/en/news/2026-06-28/niderlandy-z-1-lypnia-2026-zaminiuiut-ievrovinietku-na-pokilometrovyi-zbir-dlia-vantazhivok) before pricing a trip.

**Source:** IRU (International Road Transport Union)

This report is compiled automatically from our monitoring data; the analysis is written with the help of artificial intelligence. The editor is responsible for corrections.

Translated automatically from the Ukrainian original and checked by our editorial team. The Ukrainian version is authoritative.

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[Original source](https://www.iru.org/intelligence/flash-info/france-implementation-eus-new-freight-lcv-cross-border-rules?utm_source=nakordoni.eu)

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Updated 10.10.2026 08:34