Members of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) met on Wednesday 1 September with Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar (EPP, Portugal), the rapporteur, to discuss the state of play of the inter-institutional negotiations (trilogues) regarding the revision of the rules for hiring driverless vehicles for the carriage of goods by road (2006/1/EC) (see EUROPE 12733/3).
“There is a desire to reach an agreement before the end of the year. Positions differ over several points and some technical elements still need to be refined”, summarised Ms Monteiro de Aguiar.
There are several issues still under discussion, starting with the rental period beyond which a Member State may restrict the use of a vehicle. Member States are arguing for a period of four months. The European Commission is in favour of a period of one month.
“The limit of 30 consecutive days is problematic. There is a tradition of seasonal rentals that are closer to four months than to 30 days”, suggested Roberts Zīle (ECR, Latvia).
The question over the number of vehicles to be taken into account is also one of the issues still to be agreed between the parties. “A balance has to be found and the number of these vehicles has to be taken into account in relation to a company’s entire fleet”, said Monteiro de Aguiar.
Issues relating to vehicles over six tonnes or data exchange systems will also have to be addressed.
Several technical meetings are planned for the coming weeks. The next inter-institutional meeting will take place on 26 October. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)