Since July 2020, new rules have governed the road transport sector. The European Parliament has adopted an essential reform of the sector through the mobility package. The main aim of these new regulations is to:
- improve drivers‘ working conditions ;
- to specify the rules on posting;
- put an end to disparities in the sector;
- combat illegal practices.
- Better working conditions for drivers
Better working conditions for drivers
The new rules imposed by this reform ensure better rest conditions for drivers. The mobility package now requires international goods carriers to return home at regular intervals. They will have to return home every three or four weeks, depending on their working hours.
The reform also specifies the provisions concerning drivers‘ compulsory weekly rest periods. This must not be taken in the cab of the lorry. If the rest period is not taken at the driver’s place of residence, the employer will be responsible for covering the cost of accommodation.
Limiting disparities and putting an end to illegal practices
In order to combat fraud, tachographs must be installed in vehicles to record border crossings. In addition, the reform defines a waiting period to avoid systematic cabotage. This means that two cabotage operations in the same country and with the same lorry will have to be separated by a period of four days.
The new rules also require companies to prove that they have a sufficient volume of business in the Member State in which they are registered. This measure will make it possible to combat illegal practices, particularly those linked to „letter-box“ companies.
The mobility package also requires hauliers to return to the company’s operational centre every eight weeks. As for the use of light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes, they are now subject to the same rules as hauliers.
Clearer rules on the posting of drivers
The reform of the mobility package lays down clear rules on the posting of drivers. These provisions have been adopted to eliminate the disparities between Member States and thus guarantee better pay for drivers.
The rules on the posting of drivers apply to :
- cabotage ;
- international transport operations (except transit) ;
- bilateral operations;
- bilateral operations with two additional loads or unloadings.
Entry into force of the mobility package
This reform has been in force since its publication in the Official Journal of the EU on 31 July 2020. However, the rules on the posting of drivers, the rules on the return of lorries and other changes relating to market access will apply eighteen months after the entry into force of the mobility package.
