Mobility Package 1 is in force and the social provisions on driving times and rest conditions of drivers have been applying since 20 August 2020.

We prepared the following first set of Questions and Answers to address most pressing implementation questions raised by the sector. This will be gradually complemented by further questions and answers on the other provisions of Mobility Package 1, where necessary.

It should serve as the guide for drivers, road transport operators and enforcers to ensure that the rules are applied and controlled in a harmonized manner throughout the EU.

Tachograph Compliance – Driving Without a Driver Card and DCPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence)

In the second quarter of 2024, at the Roadside Checks the enforcement agencies observed notable increases in tachograph offenses, specifically:

  1. Driving Without a Driver Card:
    • Increase: 35%
    • Implications: This rise suggests a growing issue with drivers failing to use their driver cards correctly. The driver card is crucial for recording driving times, breaks, and rest periods, ensuring compliance with regulations designed to prevent fatigue and ensure road safety. A significant increase in offenses might indicate lapses in compliance and potential safety risks.
    • Fines: Fines for driving without a driver card are substantial to deter such behaviour. They typically range from several hundred to several thousand euros depending on the jurisdiction. For example, fines might be up to €5,000 or more in some regions, and additional penalties could include vehicle impoundment or points on the driver’s license.
  2. Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC):
    • Increase: 22%
    • Implications: The rise in offenses related to the DCPC indicates a concern with drivers either lacking the required certification or failing to maintain it. The DCPC is essential for ensuring that professional drivers have the necessary skills and knowledge to operate safely and efficiently. This increase could point to issues with driver training or certification processes and could impact overall road safety and operational standards.
    • Driver Fines: Fines for not having a valid DCPC are also significant. They generally range from a few hundred to a few thousand euros, depending on the country. For example, fines in many European countries can range from around €1,000 to €2,000 or more and repeat offences may result in higher fines or additional legal consequences.
    • Operator Fines: For the operator are 5 times higher in many European countries for allowing a driver without a valid DCPC to operate and drive a commercial vehicle.

Overall, these increases in offences will lead to more and stricter enforcement to raise awareness of compliance requirements among drivers and operators.

With Idha-Online and proDRIVERS you can avoid these pitfalls by regularly checking that you know all your drivers and that they are on your payroll.

How to check and avoid hassle or digital tachograph audit go to https://prodrivers.ie/idha-online-tachograph-compliance/

 

 

proDRIVERS – ESPORG Secured Parking Facilities

Study on safe and secure parking places for commercial vehicles

We’d love it if you could spare a few minutes to take part in the survey below and share it with your employees, colleagues, constituents and network.

This survey is part of a study on the availability of suitable rest facilities for professional drivers and of secure parking facilities, as well as on the development of safe and secure parking facilities in the EU (MOVE/C1/SER/2023-138).

The study is being funded and carried out by the European Commission. We’d love to hear from drivers, coach operators, transport companies and other stakeholders in the industry.

Read more

Vans to come under EU rules very soon

Vans to come under EU rules very soon

In August 2020, Regulation 2020/1055 came into force.   From 22nd February 2022, vans with a Gross Vehicle Weight between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes undertaking the transportation of goods internationally will need to prove they have left the vehicle registration Country.   This will mean that vans must be equipped with a smart tachograph.

Further Extension to Driver CPC cards

Message from the Driver Education | Road Safety Authority | 04th March 2021 > Further Extension to Driver CPC cards > To: All Professional Drivers’, Driver CPC Trainer and Driver CPC Training Organisations > > Due to the continued Covid-19 situation, with effect from 6 March, 2021 driver CPC cards will be further extended by […]

Mobility Package 1 Q&A – Border crossing (20.08.2020)

REGULATION (EU) No 165/2014 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 4 February 2014 on tachographs in road transport, repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating […]

Mobililty Package 1 Q&A – Ban to take a regular weekly rest in the cabin of the vehicle (20.08.2020)

Ban on regular weekly rest periods taken in a vehicle (20.08.2020) The regular weekly rest periods and any weekly rest period of more than 45 hours taken in compensation for previous reduced weekly rest periods shall not be taken in a vehicle They shall be taken in suitable gender-friendly accommodation with adequate sleeping and sanitary […]