Goods vehicles hired without drivers

Briefing 01-04-2022

The current EU rules provide to haulage companies the possibility to use hired vehicles, but also allow Member States to restrict this. As part of the 2017 road transport mobility package, the European Commission proposed to soften the existing restrictions and establish a uniform regulatory framework, which would give transport operators across the EU equal access to the market for hired goods vehicles. As co-legislators, the European Parliament and the Council have agreed new rules in October 2021. Member States will not be allowed to restrict, on their territories, the use of a vehicle hired by a haulage company established in another Member State. However, they will still be able to restrict, to a certain degree, the use of vehicles that their own companies hire in another Member State. EU Member States will have 14 months to adapt their legislation before the rules enter into force. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.