Scope:

Evaluation of Revision of Directive 2006/1/EC on the use of hired vehicles without drivers for the carriage of goods by road.

Evaluation findings:

The main findings of the evaluation were that Directive 2006/1/EC could be more effective in achieving its objectives if it didn't allow Member States to restrict the use of hired goods vehicles in some market segments and under certain conditions. Restrictions on the cross-border hiring of goods vehicles prevent operators from optimising the utilisation of their fleets by shifting their vehicles to where they are most needed. Moreover, restrictions on the use of hired goods vehicles also lower the efficiency of Directive 2006/1/EC as they increase compliance costs for both transport operators and vehicle renting/ leasing companies and as they increase implementation and enforcement costs for public authorities. In the absence of restrictions, these costs have been found to be small and negligible.

Allowing Member States to restrict the use of hired goods vehicles also goes against the needs of the European economy in terms of increasing the flexibility and efficiency of road haulage operations and it is not fully compatible with policy priorities in terms of deepening the single market and promoting the use of safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Estimated savings and benefits

The use of hired vehicles can reduce the costs of undertakings carrying goods on their own account or for hire and reward and at the same time increase their operational flexibility. It can therefore contribute to an increase in the productivity and competitiveness of the undertakings concerned. Moreover, as hired vehicles tend to be younger than the average fleet, they are also safer and less polluting. No quantification of the effects was possible.

Which objective(s) will the Commission pursue?

The proposal aimed at reducing compliance and enforcement costs by removing restrictions on the use of hired vehicles for own account operations. It would also clarify the rules applying to the use of vehicles hired in another Member State.

In addition, it aimed at optimising the allocation of resources; increase the flexibility of freight transport operators and hence their productivity; reduce negative externalities of road transport by promoting the use of hired vehicles which tend to be newer, cleaner and safer.

Estimated savings and benefits

Compliance costs for own account operators and enforcement costs for public authorities in countries that currently restrict the use of hired vehicles for own account transport operations should completely disappear. It was not possible to quantify the associated savings.

Costs for de-registration and re-registration of vehicles hired in another Member State should be saved. If 1% of the vehicles that are hired out in rental or operational leasing arrangements do no longer have to undergo the de-registration and re-registration procedure, operators could save some €12.8 million per year (as explained in more detail in section 7.5 of the impact assessment (SWD(2017)196).

Outcome of Legislative Procedure

The adopted text maintains the thrust of the Commission proposal. It creates a obligation for Member States to accept at least a 30 day period in which hired vehicles do not have to be registered in the country of establishment, which increases the flexibility of the operator. It also brings progress in that Member States will in the future only be able to restrict the use of hired vehicles by their own operators, while for operators established in other Member States, no restrictions on the use of hired vehicles will be possible any more.