The administrations in Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta are all late in introducing the technical and administrative infrastructure needed to issue digital tachograph cards to drivers, companies and calibration workshops. Indeed many administrations are now trying to catch up as is the case in Slovenia. Nevertheless, Hubert Linssen IRU General Delegate to the EU said, "It is a confirmation of our repeatedly stated fears that national governments in several EU Member States would fail to meet the deadline."

The European Commission made clear in a letter dated the 12 January 2006, that after the May deadline, drivers of vehicles may be stopped and fined if the digital tachograph on board is uncalibrated or if they do not have a driver card. Hungary, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia are expected to be ready by June or July this year. However, Greece could be as late as January 2007. The Commission must utilise every power at its disposal to push these administrations towards a state of readiness as fast as possible. Until this happens their transport operators will be sanctioned and their economic activities unfairly disrupted because of inadequate preparations by their governments.

Moreover, many other Member States, while able to fulfil these minimum criteria may still have much work ahead of them to consolidate their infrastructure and administrative procedures so that they can cope with industry demand. "It is not enough for Member States to be ready on paper" added Linssen "they must prove that their systems are up to the task of issuing cards quickly, provide a sufficient network of approved workshops and deploy properly trained and equipped enforcement officers. The IRU and the industry want to place confidence in the authorities, co-operate wherever possible but we also hope that they will show understanding and consideration to operators for whom the new system will present huge challenges which are frequently beyond their control." 
Source: IRU