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Mobility package: reform of the road transport sector

Since July 2020, new rules have entered into force in the road transport sector. In fact, the European Parliament has adopted a major reform of the road transport sector by way of the mobility package. These new regulations aim to:

 

  • improve the drivers’ working conditions;
  • set the rules pertaining to the posting of drivers;
  • put an end to inequalities in the sector;
  • fight illegal practices.

 

Better working conditions for drivers

 

The new rules enforced by this reform will guarantee better rest conditions for the drivers. In fact, the mobility package ensures that drivers working in international freight transport return home regularly. They will need to do so every 3 or 4 weeks, depending on their working hours.

 

Furthermore, this reform also sets the conditions regarding the drivers’ weekly compulsory rest. Drivers will be forbidden to spend their time off in the lorry’s cabin. Therefore, the employer has the obligation to cover the cost for its drivers’ accommodation if said resting time is not spent at home.

 

Reducing disparities and putting an end to illegal practices

 

In order to fight fraud, tachographs will be installed in the vehicles with the aim to record when they cross borders. Moreover, this reform defines a waiting period to prevent constant cabotage. Two cabotage operations performed in the same country with the same vehicle will thus have to take place four days apart.

 

In addition, with these new rules, companies will need to prove that they have a sufficient level of activity in the Member State where they are registered.  This measure will help in the fight against illegal practices, especially when dealing with “letter box” companies.

 

The mobility package also compels haulage contractors to return to their company’s administrative seat every eight weeks. As for drivers of utility vehicles weighing less than 2.5 tons, they will be subject to the same set of rules as transporters.

 

Clearer rules for the posting of drivers

 

The mobility package reform defines clear rules for the posting of drivers. Dispositions were adopted with the aim to erase the disparities between Member States, thereby ensuring the drivers would earn a higher salary. 

 

Regulations regarding the posting of drivers apply:

 

  • to cabotage,
  • to international transport operations (except transit),
  • to bilateral operations,
  • to bilateral operations with two additional loading or unloading stages.

 

Entry into force of the mobility package

 

This reform has entered into force the day it was released in the Official Journal of the EU on 31 July 2020. That being said, the regulations regarding the posting of drivers, their return to the administrative seat and other changes linked to the access to the market will come into effect eighteen months after their entry into force.

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