On Monday 4 December, the European Transport Ministers adopted their negotiating position (‘general approach’) on the revision of the rules on driving time and rest periods for drivers of occasional bus and coach services (see EUROPE 13305/6).
“Once adopted, the new rules on minimum breaks and rest periods for bus drivers will ensure better working conditions for them and guarantee safer road trips for tourists across Europe”, said Óscar Puente, Spain’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, in a press release.
In its mandate, the Council has retained the three elements of flexibility suggested by the European Commission but has made a few changes concerning the scope and guarantees of the specific rules on rest.
The option of replacing the required minimum rest period of 45 minutes with breaks of at least 15 minutes each, spread over the 4.5-hour driving period, has been retained, provided that the total driving time accumulated that day has not exceeded 7 hours.
Similarly, the option of deferring the daily rest period by 1 hour has been retained, provided that the total accumulated driving time on that day does not exceed 7 hours and that this option is exercised once during a journey of at least 6 days, or twice for a journey of at least 8 days.
With regard to the tachograph, which records the driver’s driving and rest times, the vehicle’s speed and the distance travelled, the Council would like the Commission to modify the specifications so that the type of passenger transport can be read on the device and the obligation to carry documents relating to previous journeys on board is abolished when the tachograph is used.
For its part, the European Parliament is due to validate its negotiating position in plenary session next week (see EUROPE 13294/11).
To read the general approach, go to https://aeur.eu/f/9yd (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)