Lorry Drivers' Working Hours in the Spotlight

Publication date: 20 April 2004

The Parliament adopted today the report by Helmuth Markov on social legislation governing road transport (COM(2003) 628 - COD(2003) 0255). The main aim of the draft directive is to tighten up checks and penalties for infringements of such legislation. Although the Parliament welcomed the directive in principle, it is proposing a range of amendments relating to the proposed checks. Contentious issues are the percentage of days that have to be checked each year as well as the definition of infringements which would constitute a serious offence.

report_final_markov_lorry_hours.pdf (241 KB)

com2003_628_enforcement.pdf (283 KB)

The Commission proposed that each Member State should organise checks in such a way that they cover at least 3% of days worked by drivers of vehicles but MEPs in the committee felt that a figure of 2% was enough. Where the Commission had proposed that not less than 30% of the working days checked should be checked at the roadside checks, Parliament is proposing to change this figure to 15%.

The Commission was called on to submit to the Parliament, within three years of the entry into force of this directive, a report analysing the penalties set out in the legislation of the member states for defined offences. At present, the fines imposed differ quite significantly and harmonisation was therefore necessary.

Next step:
The proposal will now be scrutinised by national governments before a second reading in autumn.

Related News Items:
- Draft Directive on Checking of Lorry Drivers' Working Hours  (9 December 2003)
- Commission calls for better enforcement of road safety rules (22 October 2003)