New rights for European drivers

The European Parliament has given final approval to EU legislation on new rights for lorry, bus and coach drivers. The proposals, backed by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation, give drivers a right to return home every three weeks and spend weekly rest periods in proper accommodation.

They also ensure better enforcement of European regulations protecting drivers operating across borders, including limits on driving times. And they combat so-called letterbox companies — which falsely claim to be based somewhere where they are not — by requiring vehicles to return to their home country at least every eight weeks.

The plans have delivered what Per Hilmersson, ETUC deputy general secretary, described as “a major victory for transport trade unions”.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200706IPR82714/parliament-adopts-major-reform-of-road-transport-sector

https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/long-distance-drivers-win-real-rest-breaks-meps-back-mobility-package