The road transport sector in the European Union has undergone profound legislative changes in recent years. With the aim of promoting greater equity among operators, improving working conditions for drivers and ensuring fairer competition in the internal market, the Mobility Package I was approved , a set of regulatory measures with a direct impact on international transport activities.
Regulation (EU) 1054/2020 stands out , which introduces significant changes to drivers’ driving and rest times , as well as to the operation and use of the digital tachograph . In force since 20 August 2020 , this regulation represents a structural change that requires careful adaptation by road transport companies.
In this article, we explore the main changes brought about by this regulation , its operational impacts and the obligations it imposes on both drivers and companies. If you work in the transport sector, this content is essential to ensure compliance with current European regulations.
Changes in driving and resting times
(EC Regulation 561/2006, as amended by EU Regulation 1054/2020)
Regulation (EU) No 1054/2020 introduces relevant amendments to Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 , which sets out rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers. These amendments aim to improve road safety , working conditions and ensure fair competition between road transport undertakings across the EU Member States.
Prohibition of regular weekly rest in the cabin
One of the most notable changes is the ban on regular weekly rest (minimum 45 hours) inside the vehicle. The legislation now requires companies to ensure that drivers can enjoy this rest period outside the cabin, in suitable facilities with good sanitary conditions .
This measure aims to combat practices of long stays on board the truck and ensure the physical and psychological well-being of professionals, especially on international routes.
Regular return of the driver to the country of establishment
With the aim of strengthening drivers’ ties with their place of origin and combating so-called “social dumping”, the regulation introduces the obligation for companies to organize work in such a way as to allow the driver to return:
- To your place of residence or to the company headquarters , at least every four weeks , if you have taken two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods;
- Every three weeks , if you have taken a regular weekly rest.
This change requires greater logistical planning on the part of companies, which must balance operational activity with new return obligations.
Exceptional flexibility in driving times
The regulation provides, in exceptional circumstances, for the possibility for drivers to exceed the maximum daily and weekly driving time in order to return to base or home.
Specific conditions:
- Exceed up to 1 hour if the driver is returning to enjoy a regular weekly rest period;
- Exceed up to 2 hours , if you are going to enjoy a reduced weekly rest, as long as you take a 30-minute break before the extension.
These exceptions must be documented and justified , preferably recorded on the tachograph, to avoid penalties in possible inspections.
Rules on returning the vehicle
(New obligation introduced by EU Regulation 1054/2020)
One of the most relevant new features introduced by Regulation (EU) 1054/2020 is the obligation to regularly return the vehicle to the Member State where the transport company is registered. This measure aims to combat “shell company” practices and ensure that operators have a genuine presence and effective activity in the country where they declare to be established.
Mandatory return every 8 weeks
According to the new rules, transport companies must organize the activity of their vehicles so that each one returnsto one of the operational centres located in the Member State of establishment at least once every 8 weeks .
This operational center can be:
- The company headquarters;
- A registered warehouse as the legal base of the company’s operations;
- Another location duly registered and controlled by national authorities.
Purpose of the measure
The main objective of imposing the periodic return of the vehicle is:
- Prevent the continuous nomadism of vehicles (constant operations outside the country of origin);
- Strengthen the territorial link between the company’s activity and its Member State of origin;
- Ensure fair competition between operators from different EU countries, preventing companies from establishing themselves in countries with fewer tax or labour requirements simply for economic convenience.
Practical implications for companies
This obligation introduces new logistical and operational challenges , especially for companies operating on a continuous international transport basis. It is now necessary to:
- Plan routes and transport contracts to ensure that vehicles return to base within the legal deadline;
- Record and keep documentary evidence of the return of vehicles, accessible to inspection authorities;
- Monitor 8-week lead times for each vehicle, regardless of the driver using it.
Supervision and penalties
Controls over this rule are carried out by the national authorities of each Member State , which may include:
- smart tachograph records ;
- Document verification of toll, maintenance or parking tickets;
- Inspections on the road or at the company’s premises.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in high fines, administrative sanctions and, in serious cases, operational restrictions .
Tachograph updates
(EU Regulation 165/2014 as amended by EU Regulation 1054/2020)
With the aim of strengthening control and uniform enforcement of rules in the road transport sector, Regulation (EU) 1054/2020 introduced significant changes to Regulation (EU) 165/2014 , which governs the use of the digital tachograph . These changes are part of a broader strategy to modernise technology and combat fraud in cross-border transactions.
Introduction of the second generation smart tachograph
One of the main new features is the introduction of the second-generation smart tachograph , designed to offer more advanced features for recording and monitoring driver and vehicle activity.
Main improvements:
- Automatic registration of border crossings by geolocation (GNSS);
- Ability to record loading and unloading operations (with future updates);
- Communication with authorities through DSRC ( Dedicated Short-Range Communication ) interface for remote pre-filtering of controls;
- More robust internal memory that is harder to tamper with.
Implementation deadlines
The application of the new tachograph follows a progressive mandatory schedule established by the European Commission:
- Since 21 August 2023 , all new vehicles over 3.5 tonnes registered in the EU must be equipped with the second-generation smart tachograph.
- By the end of 2024 , vehicles with first-generation analogue or digital tachographs used in international transport must be replaced.
- By August 2025 , the replacement must cover vehicles with first-generation smart tachographs.
- From July 2026 , light commercial vehicles (between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes) used in international transport will also have to use this device.
Impact on control and inspection
The new tachograph model will allow more effective and less intrusive monitoring by the competent authorities, thanks to the remote reading of essential data.
Expected benefits:
- Reduction of roadside checks for compliant vehicles;
- Faster detection of violations such as manipulation of driving times or falsification of data;
- Better control over the application of rules on cabotage and secondment of drivers .
Obligations for companies
With these changes, transport companies must:
- Ensure that new vehicles are equipped with the required tachograph ;
- Plan the phased replacement of older devices , in accordance with legal deadlines;
- Ensure drivers receive adequate training on the use of new equipment ;
- Store and organize the collected data, respecting the legal storage periods.
Practical consequences for transport companies
The entry into force of Regulation (EU) 1054/2020 represents a profound change in the organisation of road transport operations in the European Union . The new legal requirements require companies to adapt , not only in technical terms, but also in terms of human resources, logistics and administrative management .
Reorganization of logistics and routes
One of the main immediate consequences is the need to redefine routes and operational cycles in order to ensure:
- Compliance with driving and rest times , including the regular return of drivers to their country of origin;
- Management of the 8-week periods for the vehicle’s return to base;
- Compatibility between commercial operations and the limitations imposed by legislation .
Companies with intensive operations outside their home country will have to plan international travel more carefully to avoid non-compliance and penalties.
Increased administrative burden
With the introduction of new requirements, the administrative work of companies becomes more complex. The main requirements include:
- Preservation of evidence of vehicles returning to base (GPS records, maintenance invoices, etc.);
- each driver’s driving and rest times ;
- Guarantee that tachograph data iscollected, stored and analyzed in accordance with legal deadlines;
- Preparing for more stringent cross-border inspections , based on data shared between Member States.
Investment in training
Drivers and fleet managers need to be fully informed and prepared to correctly apply the new rules. This means:
- Continuous training on the use of smart tachographs and new legal obligations;
- Raising awareness of the risks associated with non-compliance (fines, loss of licenses, penalties in public tenders);
- Adoption of good driving and recording practices to avoid unintentional errors.
Financial and technological impact
Although the aim of the regulation is to improve the functioning of the sector, adopting the new measures entails initial costs for companies, namely:
- Replacement or update of existing tachographs ;
- Adaptation of the fleet and management systems;
- Reorganization of contracts and routes with customers;
- Possible need to reinforce the administrative or compliance team .
However, it is important to note that investing in compliance can bring competitive advantages by ensuring continued access to international markets and avoiding costly sanctions.
More rigorous and interconnected monitoring
National authorities now have more technical and legal means to control operations, with particular emphasis on :
- Information sharing between Member States ;
- Remote access to tachograph data;
- Greater collaboration between inspection forces and labor inspection .
Companies that fail to adapt run the risk of being subject to severe sanctions , including fines, vehicle seizure and loss of commercial reputation.
Final considerations
Regulation (EU) 1054/2020 represents one of the most significant reforms of the European road transport sector in recent decades. By introducing far-reaching changes to driving and rest times, the operation of tachographs and the operational organisation of companies, the European Union aims to ensure a balance between fair competition,road safety and protection of drivers’ rights .
Despite the initial challenges that implementing these measures may pose, especially in logistical and financial terms, it is essential that companies view this new reality as an opportunity to modernize and professionalize the sector . Adapting to the new legislation is not only a legal obligation, it is also a way to build a more sustainable, efficient and competitive operation in the European scenario.
Compliance with the regulation requires planning, training and investment, but it also ensures greater transparency, fewer legal risks and better working conditions for professionals behind the wheel. Companies that position themselves in time to meet these demands will be better prepared to grow in a constantly evolving market.