Cabotage regulations are unclear and unenforceable, according to the European Commission (EC).
Speaking at the Road Transport Conference in Brussels this week, EC transport commissioner Violeta Bulc said a tendency for member states to implement their own rules for road transport had created uncertainties, an administrative burden and costs for firms working across borders.
“This may endanger the single market. Operators have to keep track of these different rules to be compliant and to avoid fines,” she said.
One area of concern is cabotage regulations, with “almost unanimity” among stakeholders that the current rules are unclear and cannot be enforced.
The rights of transport operatives, particularly those who work across multiple countries, such as HGV drivers, was also discussed.
“If a driver stays in a country for a long period, or carries out activities in a given country regularly, then this driver should receive the minimum salary of the country in question,” Bulc said.
