Logifleet Blog

LSVA III Is Coming: Is Your Fleet Ready for 2026?

Written by Raphaël Greppin | Aug 28, 2025

A major shift is coming for Swiss companies that operate trucks and heavy vehicles. Starting January 1st, 2026, Switzerland will move from LSVA II to LSVA III. These rules change how companies pay taxes when their trucks drive on the roads. The rules apply to trucks that weigh more than 3.5 tons.  

At the same time, companies must also follow the ARV rules. These rules make sure that drivers don’t drive too long without rest and that they take enough breaks during the day.  

These changes will directly impact businesses in sectors such as:  

  • Construction and civil engineering  
  • Transport and logistics  
  • Energy and utilities  
  • Building maintenance and technical services  
  • Companies with large vehicle or machine fleets  

For these industries, preparing for LSVA III and ARV is not optional. If companies don’t use the right tools to follow the rules, they could get in trouble. They might have to pay fines, do a lot of work by hand, or lose time fixing mistakes.  

In this article, we will explain in simple terms:  

  • What LSVA and ARV are, and how the new regulations will impact my fleet? 
  • What happens if my vehicle isn’t equipped with the necessary tracking device by 2026? 
  • How Does ARV Protect Driver Safety and Compliance? 
  • What NATRAS offers, and where it reaches its limits? 
  • How can Logifleet help me with LSVA III compliance and ARV in 2026? 
  • Why making the switch now can save time, reduce risks, and ensure you're fully prepared for 2026  

Let’s start with the basics.   

What LSVA and ARV are, and how the new regulations will impact my fleet?

LSVA stands for "Leistungsabhängige Schwerverkehrsabgabe", which is a long German word that means: "heavy vehicle tax based on how much you use the roads." 

In simple words: The more your truck drives on Swiss roads, the more you pay. 

But here’s the smart part: Instead of paying a fixed amount, the LSVA tax depends on three things: 

  • How heavy your truck is 
  • How far it drives in Switzerland 
  • How much pollution it creates (based on engine type) 

This means it’s a fair system. Trucks that drive more and pollute more pay more. Trucks that drive less or pollute less pay less. It’s better for the roads and better for the planet. 

Why Does LSVA Matter?

Because this tax is not optional. Every company that uses trucks over 3.5 tons in Switzerland must pay it. And the government needs accurate data on every kilometer driven. 

If your numbers are wrong, missing, or late: 

  • You can get fined 
  • You can lose a lot of time fixing problems 
  • Your business could look unprofessional during audits 

And with LSVA III starting in 2026, the Swiss government is opening the market to new technologies and providers. That’s why automating this process is now a smart move for every fleet. 

Real Value in Simple Words 

Think of LSVA like a usage-based bill for your trucks: 

  • If you drive more, you pay more. 
  • If you drive less, you pay less.  

But if your tracking device (like the FMC650) isn’t working — or isn’t installed — you’re in trouble. 

Same with trucks: If you can’t track how far you drive, you can’t pay the right tax.

 

What Exactly Is ARV How Does ARV Protect Driver Safety and Compliance?

ARV stands for "Arbeits- und Ruhezeitverordnung" — which means "working and resting time rules" for drivers in Switzerland. 

These rules are there to protect drivers and keep the roads safe.

They make sure that drivers: 

  • Don’t drive too many hours in a row 
  • Take enough breaks during the day 
  • Get proper rest between workdays 

It’s kind of like school: You need time to focus, but you also need recess and lunch to rest your brain. Without breaks, you make more mistakes. It’s the same with drivers — tired drivers can be dangerous. 

Why Does ARV Matter? 

Because it’s the law. Companies must prove that every driver: 

  • Worked only the allowed number of hours 
  • Took all the required breaks 
  • Didn’t go over the legal limits 

To do that, trucks have a tachograph. This device records how long the driver has been on the road and when they stopped. But here’s the problem… 

If you don’t collect that data properly and on time, you risk: 

  • Getting fined by the authorities 
  • Failing a control or audit 
  • Delays in your daily work 

Real Value in Simple Words 

ARV helps you keep track of your drivers’ working and resting times. It shows if they’re driving too long without breaks, and helps your company follow the law, avoid fines, and stay safe. 

But checking and downloading tachograph data by hand is slow, demotivating, and easy to forget. 

How Will the New LSVA III Regulations Work? 

Right now, under LSVA II, most companies report how far their trucks have driven using EMOTACH, the old system that sends data directly to the government. Only a few corrections are still made manually. 

But from January 1st, 2026, this will change. 

Switzerland is moving to LSVA III, which introduces new technology and opens the market to multiple providers and solutions. The goal is to make the system more flexible, transparent, and easier to integrate with modern fleet tools. 

Here’s what’s different and important: 

You Must Send the Driving Route Automatically 

Under LSVA III, companies must send the full driving route (geodata) for each truck - and they must do it electronically and in a standardized format. 

This change allows more flexibility: 

  • Companies can use different certified providers 
  • Data can flow directly into modern fleet platforms like Logifleet 
  • It’s easier to integrate, control costs, and monitor operations in real time 

The Swiss government wants live, digital route data, sent securely from the vehicle to the LSVA system — using approved devices and open interfaces. 

No Hardware = No Driving 

If your vehicle doesn’t have the right device installed to track and send the data, it’s not allowed to drive. 

That’s a serious rule. So if you don’t prepare in time, your trucks could be stuck in the yard while your competitors keep working. 

No Delays, No Errors Allowed 

Every kilometer has to be reported on time and correctly. If the data is wrong, missing, or delayed, you could: 

  • Get a fine 
  • Lose credibility during audits 
  • Spend hours fixing mistakes 

The government will check your records — and you need to be ready. 

You Need a Certified Solution 

Only officially approved systems can be used to collect and send LSVA data under the new LSVA III framework. One of these approved solutions is NATRAS, provided by the BAZG. 

However, using NATRAS alone may not cover all your operational needs - especially if you’re managing a large fleet, need real-time visibility, or want to reduce manual work. 

What Does This Mean for Your Business? 

It’s simple: 

  • If you don’t upgrade your system, you’ll waste time and risk problems. 
  • If you switch to a certified, automatic solution like Logifleet, you stay compliant, avoid stress, and focus on running your business. 

What NATRAS Offers — And Where It Reaches Its Limits 

Some companies in Switzerland now use a government-approved system called NATRAS to help manage their trucks. It was developed as the new official platform under LSVA III, replacing the older EMOTACH system. 

Let’s take a closer look at what NATRAS does well - and where companies may still need additional tools to fully automate their processes and reduce admin workload. 

What NATRAS Does Well 

  • On-board Equipment and Logistics Management 
    NATRAS provides the certified on‑board units (ESF) and handles everything from vehicle registration to delivery and maintenance of these devices   
  • Automatic Route Capturing via GNSS 
    The device captures your truck’s route using GPS (GNSS) and securely sends that data to the system. It tracks when your vehicle starts and stops, trailer changes, and total weight - all required for accurate LSVA billing. 
  • Customer Support Portal and Multilingual Help 
    NATRAS operates an online portal to help with onboarding, registrations, or reporting hardware issues, available in German, French, Italian, and English. They also offer a personal phone hotline for direct support  

So if you're a company that wants basic info, NATRAS might be okay - for now. 

Where NATRAS Reaches Its Limits 

But now, with LSVA III , the rules are getting stricter. And NATRAS has some big weaknesses: 

Manual Data Entry

With NATRAS, many things still have to be typed in or uploaded by hand. That means more: 

  • Time 
  • Mistakes 
  • Work for your team 

For example: 

Imagine a driver finishes a long day on the road. He’s been on site since 6:30 in the morning, drove across several cantons, delivered materials, and dealt with traffic and delays. 

Before he can go home, he still has to: 

  • Add trailers manually 
  • Write down how many kilometers he drove 
  • Download the tachograph data 
  • Note the time he started and stopped driving 

He’s tired. It’s late. And this happens every week, sometimes every day. 

Over time, this gets frustrating. Some drivers forget. Others make mistakes. And some just don’t do it at all - not because they don’t care, but because the process is too slow and stressful after a full day’s work. 

Why This Matters 

When data is missing or wrong: 

  • The admin team wastes hours chasing drivers for files 
  • You risk fines for late or incorrect LSVA or ARV reports 
  • Your company looks unreliable in case of an audit 
  • And worst of all, your drivers lose trust in the system 

Manual processes might seem "okay for now" — but they pile up quickly. That’s why it’s smarter to switch to a system that automates everything, so drivers can focus on their job, not on paperwork. 

No Live Tracking

NATRAS doesn’t show you where your vehicles are right now. It only gives you past info — not real-time visibility. 

No Automatic LSVA Reporting

Under LSVA III, the government wants live, automatic kilometer tracking. NATRAS can’t send data directly from the vehicle to the LSVA system — which means it won’t be enough to follow the new rules. 

Not Certified for the New System

Most importantly, NATRAS is not certified for the new LSVA III platform. So even if you use it today, you’ll likely need something new in 2026. 

One Solution, One Partnership: Logifleet + Xmatik 

To help our customers stay fully compliant with LSVA III and ARV regulations, Logifleet has partnered with Xmatik, creators of the Vialo platform. 

Together, we offer a seamless, end-to-end solution: 

  • Logifleet handles vehicle tracking and automated data collection 
  • Vialo ensures secure legal compliance, reporting, and direct communication with Swiss authorities (BAZG) 

This partnership combines modern telematics with Swiss regulatory expertise — so your company can automate processes, save time, and stay 100% compliant without the complexity. 

What vialo delivers: 

With Vialo ARV, you always have your drivers driving and rest times in view — automatically, in full compliance with the law, and with no extra effort.

Any violations are clearly displayed, transparently explained, and can be directly commented on and corrected. This saves you time, prevents errors, and ensures you always have a complete overview.

With Vialo LSVA III, you always have a clear view of the LSVA distances automatically recorded per vehicle — including manual correction options and direct data exchange with the BAZG. Comprehensive reports support transparent cost control.

Modular. Cloud-based. Minimal effort.

Together, Logifleet and vialo make sure your LSVA and ARV data is: 

  • Collected automatically 
  • Transmitted securely 
  • Compliant with Swiss law 
  • Available in detailed, audit-ready reports 

Whether you manage a small fleet or a large operation, this partnership gives you full visibility and control — without added burden on your drivers or admin team. 

How Logifleet Provides a Complete, Automated Solution for LSVA and ARV 

Logifleet was built for companies that want to save time, follow the rules, and stop doing things by hand. 

Instead of writing down kilometers or downloading files from trucks, Logifleet does everything automatically — using smart devices installed in your vehicles. 

Here’s how it works: 

For LSVA 

With Logifleet, every vehicle has a GPS tracker. This tracker knows: 

  • How many kilometers the vehicle drives 
  • Where it goes 
  • When it starts and stops 

The system sends that data straight to the LSVA platform — no printing, no emailing, no delays. This means you are always up to date, accurate, and ready for 2026. 

For ARV (Driver Work & Rest Times) 

Each vehicle is also connected to the digital tachograph. Logifleet’s system downloads the tachograph files remotely, which means: 

  • No need to plug in a USB stick 
  • No need to bring the truck back to the office 
  • No need to remind the drivers to send the file 

The data is sent from the vehicle to the cloud — safely and on time. If an audit comes, you have everything stored, sorted, and ready. 

Why It Matters 

With Logifleet: 

  • Drivers don’t have to do extra tasks after long days 
  • Admin teams don’t waste time chasing files 
  • The company avoids mistakes, stress, and penalties 
  • Everyone works better — with less effort 

Why Making the Switch Now Can Save Time, Reduce Risks, and Ensure You're Fully Ready for 2026 

Many companies wait too long to change how they work — and then they rush when the deadline comes. But with LSVA III starting on January 1st, 2026, there’s no more time to waste. 

Here’s why switching to Logifleet now is a smart decision: 

  1. You Save Time Every Day

Manual work slows your team down. Logifleet removes tasks like: 

  • Writing down kilometers 
  • Downloading files by hand 
  • Sending monthly LSVA reports 

Everything is done automatically, so your team can focus on real work. 

  1. You Avoid Expensive Mistakes

If a file is missing, wrong, or late, it can lead to: 

  • Fines 
  • Failed audits 
  • Lost trust from clients or authorities 

With Logifleet, your data is always correct and sent on time — so you don’t have to worry. 

  1. You Keep Your Fleet Moving

In 2026, vehicles without the right LSVA tracking device may not be allowed to drive. Installing hardware, testing it, and training your team takes time. 

If you wait too long, you risk having trucks parked instead of working. 

  1. You Stay Ahead of the Competition

Companies that are ready for LSVA III and ARV will look: 

  • More professional 
  • More efficient 
  • More attractive to clients and partners 

By acting now, you show that your business is serious, modern, and ready for the future. 

  1. You’re Not Alone

Logifleet is based in Switzerland, with a local team ready to help. We offer: 

  • Certified LSVA solutions 
  • Remote ARV download 
  • Fast setup and support 
  • Tools built for fleets of all sizes 

Final Thought 

LSVA III and ARV are not just new rules. They’re a chance to improve how your business works — if you choose the right tools. 

Switching to Logifleet now means: 

  • Less stress 
  • Less manual work 
  • Full compliance by 2026 
  • And a smoother, smarter way to manage your fleet 

Ready to Get Ahead of LSVA III and ARV? 

Talk to a Compliance Expert 

Our Swiss-based team is ready to guide you step-by-step: 

  • Understand your exact needs 
  • Recommend the best setup for your fleet 
  • Show you how automation can save you time and money 

Book a free call with one of our compliance specialists today.

Let’s make sure you’re ready — and ahead.