Checks on regular weekly rest periods of Romanian road hauliers by French and Belgian authorities

16.5.2018

Question for written answer E-002602-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Andor Deli (PPE) , Marian-Jean Marinescu (PPE)

An increasing number of Romanian road hauliers are complaining that their drivers have been subject to checks in France and Belgium, being asked to prove that they did not spend their last regular weekly rest period in the cabin, when they were in countries other than France and Belgium. Some have been fined between EUR 1 000 and EUR 2 250 for not having documents to prove this. Moreover, French and Belgian officers have asked Romanian drivers for documents to prove that they have spent their weekly rest period in a hotel.

In 2014, France and Belgium introduced national laws banning professional drivers from spending their regular weekly rest periods in the cabin. However, both laws also stipulate that the driver must be checked on the spot, and cannot be forced to prove afterwards where they spent their previous weekly rest period. Enforcement authorities from these countries should control only the current regular weekly rest period and not ask for documents concerning the driver’s previous rest periods.

Does the Commission intend to investigate these cases?

How does the Commission plan to provide legal protection for those drivers and companies whose fundamental right to legal certainty has been breached by Member States’ authorities?