On Tuesday 20 June, MEPs from the European Parliament’s transport committee gave a warm welcome to the draft report presented by Peter Lundgren (EFDD, Sweden) on the revision of the 2003/59 directive on qualifications and training for lorry, bus and coach drivers.
The draft report presented by the Swedish MEP is generally on the same lines as the Commission proposals (see EUROPE 11716), which aim to promote the recognition of qualifications for transporters in Europe and improve road safety.
In his report, Peter Lundgren is also proposing to add a module to transporters’ training, which involves driving in extreme weather conditions. This point was welcomed by the European Commission. The MEP is himself a road haulier by training and also advocated the setting up of a “common network of Union databases” in an effort to share information regarding the awarding of documents attesting to the professional qualifications for professional drivers.
Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska MEP (EPP, Poland) asserted on behalf of her group that the report was “a complete success”, while Maria Grapini (S&D, Romania), said that she was “very optimistic” about this text. The same point of view was expressed by Kosma Złotowski (ECR, Poland) and Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE, Spain).
Although a majority of the MEPs present were in favour of this report and the positions defended by the Swedish MEP, a number of clarifications were requested regarding exemptions, which Mr Lundgren is planning to introduce.
The latter was also questioned about his proposal to allow a B-license holders (those that are able to drive vehicles weighing a maximum of 3.5 tons) to drive vehicles of 4.25 t if they use replacement fuels.
Even though amendments will certainly be submitted by different MEPs by the end of this month, the text will certainly only pose a few problems.
It should be pointed out that the Transport Council reached its position on the Commission proposal on 8 June last in Luxembourg, without much difficulty (see EUROPE 11804). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)