Enhancement of social legislation in road transport I (Driving time)

Briefing 15-05-2017

Regulation 561/2006 lays down rules applicable to driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers engaged in the carriage of goods and passengers by road. Various resources show that presently there are several challenges linked with the implementation of the regulation. These include diverging enforcement practice applied across the different EU Member States, clarity of the text of the regulation, broad discretion of the Member States and various exemptions allowed by the regulation. These challenges influence harmonisation of road transport, as well as legal certainty, and they limit the fulfilment of the regulation's goal. The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to update Regulation 561/2006 to respond to these challenges. Similarly, the European Economic and Social Committee has recommended that the existing legislation is updated. Furthermore, representatives of various stakeholder groups have voiced requests to update this piece of EU legislation. Finally, the European Commission itself has expressed willingness to revise the regulation as part of the enhancement of the social legislation in road transport. It is expected that the European Commission will submit this proposal in the second quarter of 2017.