On Thursday 12 October, MEPs at the European parliament transport committee unanimously adopted (47 votes in favour, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions) the report by Peter Lundgren MEP (EFDD, Sweden) on the revision of directives 2003/59/EC and 2006/126/EC respectively relating to initial qualifications and continued training for transport sector workers and the driving license.
The MEPs’ position does not come as any surprise because they had already hailed the draft report by the Swedish MEP presented to them in the transport committee on 20 June last (see EUROPE 11812). Overall, this corresponds to the Commission proposals presented on 1 February (see EUROPE 11716).
The report by the MEP, who is a road haulier by training, suggests that as part of their continuous training, students and professionals are given lessons about what action drivers should take in extreme weather conditions. MEPs also voted for the amendments so that continued training of 35 hours is made compulsory for drivers every five years and that this is focused on environmental, health and security questions.
MEPs also voted for drivers who have a type B licence (those who are authorised to drive vehicles up to a 3.5 tonne maximum) to be able to drive vehicles weighing 4.25 tonnes if these vehicles use replacement fuels and the surcharge is exclusively linked to the mass of its alternative fuel supply refill systems.
With regard to the recognition of qualifications, MEPs were in favour of awarding the harmonised 95 European Union code if the driver is able to meet qualification and training requirements, which will enable drivers prove their appropriate skills on European Union territory.
It will now be possible to begin Inter-institutional negotiations, since transport ministers reached an agreement on a common position during the “Transport” training Council on 8 June last (see EUROPE 11804). (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)