Mobility package: Provisional deal on rules to fight illegal practices in road transport and improve conditions for drivers
EP and Council of the EU Finnish Presidency negotiators reached a provisional agreement on revised rules for posting of drivers, drivers’ rest times and better enforcement of cabotage rules.
Statements by rapporteurs:
Henna Virkkunen (EPP, FI), rapporteur for the proposal on rules on drivers’ rest periods:
“The revision of the rules is crucial for the whole sector. The agreed deal ensures fair competition, functioning single market, road safety and improved working conditions. Enforcement and control will greatly improve with the introduction of smart tachographs. An important addition is the inclusion of light commercial vehicles operating internationally into the scope of this regulation, to ensure level-playing field in the road transport sector.”
Ismail Ertug (S&D, DE), rapporteur for the proposal on access to the occupation of road transport operator and road haulage market
“After almost three years we were able to conclude an agreement on the highly contested mobility package with the Finnish presidency. I think it provides balanced approach to the transport sector, while creating a level playing field and will help end to social dumping and letterbox companies by establishing a clear link between the vehicles and the member state where the transport company is based.”
Kateřina Konečná (GUE/NGL, CZ), rapporteur for the proposal on posting of drivers
“It is my sincere belief that the Mobility Package will help the drivers and European businesses as there will finally be clarity on the rules. European drivers deserve the best possible conditions and I know we will all appreciate that they are well rested when they drive the trucks on European roads. Posting of drivers is therefore mainly about social justice and road safety. I am glad we managed to achieve our important goals.”
Next steps
The text agreed by the negotiators now needs to be approved by the Council of the EU and Parliament.
Background
The negotiations on the three mobility package between the EU institutions started in October 2019 after Parliament adopted its position on the in April 2019 and the EP transport committee of the newly elected Parliament confirmed the decision to start negotiations in September 2019. The Council of Ministers adopted its position in December 2018. The three proposals on the posting of drivers, drivers’ rest periods and access to the occupation of road transport operator and to the road haulage market, which sets out rules on cabotage operations are part of the Mobility Package tabled by the EU Commission in May 2017.