Fleets of trucks carrying goods across Europe are a common sight on our motorways. As a truck driver, you – and the three million other drivers in the EU – play a key role in EU transport. Despite the current shortage of truck drivers in the EU, nearly 77 % of inland freight transport is carried on trucks.

Truck drivers are employed by companies based in different EU countries. While EU rules on drivers and transport have been around for years, enforcement of these laws still differs from country to country. To remedy this, the EU adopted new rules in 2020 that protect drivers' working conditions and safety and ensure fairer competition.

Earlier EU rules set maximum daily and weekly driving times, as well as minimum break and rest periods for drivers. With the new rules, the EU makes sure drivers get good rest. For your normal weekly rest of 45+ hours, you will be required to rest in a suitable facility (rather than in the back of your lorry). The new rules will also ensure you are able to return home every three to four weeks.

To protect drivers from unfair company practices, EU rules specify requirements on road haulage companies' establishment and sound financial footing. New measures further harmonise social conditions between resident and non-resident truck drivers and enhance the control on cabotage operations. To ensure that rules for working conditions are followed, the EU has introduced specific requirements such as obligatory tachographs, which are to be installed on board all vehicles. Smart tachographs will progressively replace all old tachographs by 2025.