On 24 April 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/1258 of the European Parliament and of the Council introduced significant changes to Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006, establishing new minimum requirements for daily and weekly breaks and rest periods in the sector of occasional road passenger transport. To assist fleet managers, Seeptrucker will summarize all these changes and explain them in detail.
This Regulation seeks to adjust rest rules to the specific needs of this sector, with its mandatory and direct application in all Member States of the European Union from May 22, 2024.
What changed with EU Regulation 2024/1258?
The main changes introduced from Regulation EU 2024/1258 for occasional services are :
– Documentation on board: Requirement to carry the “itinerary sheet” on all trips, including within national perimeters, which was previously required only for international trips – until the planned developments for road inspection are carried out, the digital itinerary sheet.
– Division of breaks: For a single occasional service lasting at least six 24-hour periods, it will be possible to postpone the daily rest period by up to 25 hours after the last rest period. This derogation can be made twice on trips lasting more than eight consecutive 24-hour periods. In both situations, the total driving hours that day cannot exceed seven hours .
The 12-day rule for international transport has become extendable to national occasional transport : it introduces flexibility so that a driver carrying out a single occasional passenger transport service can postpone the weekly rest period for up to twelve consecutive days after a period of previous normal weekly rest.
Important guidelines from the manager to the driver:
– Bring, whether for national or international territory, the “itinerary sheet”, which will be a mandatory item from then on;
– Breaks of 45 minutes may be divided into two breaks of at least 15 minutes each, as long as, in total, they have the minimum duration necessary to guarantee adequate rest for drivers.
– Pay extra attention to driving times and breaks, so that they are always within regulations and standards and can be used strategically for better use and safety of the roads.
– Use of the Seeptrucker platform for the efficient management and analysis of driving time and break data.
Detailed explanation of changes
1. Flexibility in Breaks and Rest Periods
These changes are designed to not compromise the safety of passengers and drivers, ensuring that road safety is maintained, with flexibility in driving rules, given the specific characteristics of this type of transport.
2. Facilitation in the applicability of the Rules
The regulation aims to make the rules more applicable to occasional road passenger transport services, both national and international, eliminating discrepancies that could affect competition and driver performance. The new rules bring flexibility that optimizes driving time, breaks and rests.
3. Documentation Requirements
Drivers must have an “itinerary sheet” on board the vehicle with essential information about the trip. This document, already required for international services, is now also mandatory for national services.
4. Sanctions for Infractions
Member States will have the competence to impose sanctions for infringements of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, even if those infringements were committed in another Member State or in a third country. This measure aims to ensure that the rules are applied effectively and coherently across the European Union.
Expected Benefits
– Improvement of drivers’ working conditions, with adequate breaks and flexible but safe rest periods.
– Greater efficiency and quality of occasional road passenger transport services, better meeting passenger needs.
– Harmonization and clarity of rules for operators and drivers, facilitating compliance and reducing ambiguities.
– Reduced risk of driver fatigue and stress, increasing road safety.
– Improved communication with authorities: With the itinerary sheet and the app Seeptrucker , tachograph data is promptly collected and analyzed, facilitating arguments with authorities along the route.
Conclusion
With the changes to Regulation (EU) 2024/1258, which aim to improve drivers’ working conditions, ensure fair competition between companies and increase road safety, the adaptation and effective implementation of the new rules will be fundamental to achieving the objectives of improvement in working conditions and fair and safe competition between transport companies.
The new EU regulation on occasional passenger transport represents an important step towards improving working conditions, road safety and efficiency in this sector.
However, its effective implementation will require close cooperation between authorities, companies and drivers to ensure adequate compliance and high standards in all discretionary road passenger transport operations.
FAQ: Regulation (EU) 2024/1258 on Occasional Road Passenger Transport
1. What are the main changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1258?
Answer: The main changes include greater flexibility in scheduling breaks and rest periods for drivers, harmonization of rules for national and international services, the obligation to have a “route sheet” on board the vehicle, and the possibility of Member States impose sanctions for infringements committed in other countries.
2. How does the new flexibility in breaks work for drivers?
Answer: Drivers can now divide the mandatory 45-minute break into two breaks of at least 15 minutes each. This flexibility allows you to adjust breaks according to your travel needs, without compromising safety and adequate rest.
3. What are the documentation requirements for drivers?
Answer: Drivers must have an “itinerary sheet” on board the vehicle with essential information about the trip. This documentation is necessary for both international and national services, ensuring that authorities can verify compliance with rules regarding breaks and rest periods.
4. How will sanctions for infractions be applied under the new regulations?
Answer: Member States have the competence to impose sanctions for infringements of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, even if those infringements were committed in another Member State or in a third country. This ensures uniform and effective application of rules across the European Union, increasing road safety and fairness between operators.
5. What is the expected impact of the new rules on drivers’ working conditions?
Answer: The new rules should significantly improve working conditions for drivers, offering more flexibility for breaks and rest, which can reduce stress and fatigue. Furthermore, by harmonizing rules across the EU, drivers can expect a more consistent and safe working environment, regardless of the country in which they are operating.