Scope:

Evaluation of Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers.

Evaluation findings:

The evaluation concluded that the Directive had been implemented in the Member States without major problems; it has improved labour mobility and contributed to ensuring the free movement of drivers. The evaluation furthermore confirmed that the Directive effectively contributes to its main objective in ensuring the road safety together with the legislation mentioned above.

While the evaluation has shown that the Directive had an overall positive effect on the sector, it also identified shortcomings hindering the effectiveness and coherence of the legal framework and undermining the original objectives of the Directive. The main identified shortcomings were:

1) difficulties for drivers to benefit from a recognition of completed/partial training undergone in another Member State;

2) content of the training only partially relevant for drivers' needs;

3) difficulties and legal uncertainties in the interpretation of exemptions and

4) inconsistencies of minimum age requirement in the Directive on training of professional drivers (2003/59/EC) and the Directive on driving licence (2006/126/EC).

The evaluation also identified uncertainty regarding whether it is possible to combine professional drivers training with other trainings required under EU law (i.e. the training required to drive dangerous goods, training on passenger rights and animal welfare). It also showed that respondents were not clear regarding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the training (e-learning/blended learning).

Estimated savings and benefits

The cost increase related to the Directive was estimated at EUR 1.8 billion per year or EUR 500 per driver per year of which 44% are born by enterprises and 45% by the drivers. Savings in reduced fuel use were estimated at EUR 4 - 7 billion per year, or at EUR 1,100 to 1,900 per driver per year. Overall potential benefits including in addition reduced costs of traffic accidents and reduced emissions were estimated to EUR 7 - 10 billion per year.

Which objective(s) will the Commission pursue?

The general objective of the initiative was to ensure that the Directive more effectively contributes to safety provisions as laid down in the EU common transport policy and the Policy Orientations on Road Safety and that it complies with the principles of the Internal Market and facilitates the free movement of professionals active in the sector.

More specifically, the initiative was aimed at:

– Ensuring smooth administrative practises for mutual recognition in Member States;

– Ensuring that the training content better targets recent technological developments, road safety and fuel efficiency;

– Improving legal clarity of the Directive and coherence with other EU legislation.

This, in turn, will lead to a reduction of administrative costs for business and administrations.

Estimated savings and benefits

A revision would make it possible to resolve the issues related to mutual recognition at the lowest costs. This is estimated at EUR 6.3 million for the period of 2018 - 2030. This change would bring benefits to the industry in terms of the cost savings, which account over the period 2018 - 2030 for 2.3 million and 6.7 million euros for businesses and drivers respectively. Furthermore, it would make the training system more effective by revising the content of initial and periodic training to provide for further safety and environmental benefits. This would mitigate the costs (in total EUR 14.1 million for 2018 - 2030 ) related to the change of the content.

Outcome of Legislative Procedure

The amendment adopted fully responds to the objectives of the Commission's proposal by including in particular the following changes to the EU legislation on professional drivers training:
• A review of the exemptions to the training obligation, including two new exemption cases.
• A reviewed training content, which improves the coverage of road safety, fuel efficiency and technological developments.
• Improved provisions on the implementation of the training concerning the use of ICT tools or simulators, its combination with other training required under EU law, the use of practical training the organisation of the periodic training hours.
• Provisions to ensure the mutual recognition of professional training undergone in a Member State other than the Member State of residence or of work
• The creation of an electronic network for Member States to exchange information on professional drivers training.

Estimated savings and benefits

The substance and objectives of the Commission's proposals have been preserved, including the estimated savings and benefits.

Directive (EU) 2018/645 was to be transposed by Member States by 23 May 2020, except for Article 1(6) of the Directive (setting up the new enforcement network), which was to be transposed by 23 May 2021. All Member States have communicated complete transposition of the Directive, some with undue delay. Related infringement procedures are being closed following successful examination of the notifications. There are considerable delays related to the actual connection of Member States to the enforcement network ProDriveNet. More than half of all Member States are not yet connected 1.5 years after the deadline for the legal transposition into national law of the related provision.