The first changes concerning the functions of international road transport were started by the Germans, introducing MiLoG. The next was the French law Loi Macron. Already now, carriers will need to cope with the upcoming changes in the road legislation. The next provisions of the Mobility Package will go into effect in August 20. They will be introduced in stages, which will give the owners of transport companies time to prepare for them. In short, the goal of the Mobility Package is to improve the working conditions of drivers in all EU countries. The regulation concerns: - Obligatory rest for drivers, - Return of drivers to the base, - Extending the driving time of the vehicle, - Cabotage - Rules for the design of the delegation of drivers, - Licenses and tachographs for carriers with a fleet of 2.5 to 3.5 tons in international transport, - Replacement of tachographs. The AWHelp24 information department will familiarize carriers and drivers with the new rules in accordance with the guidelines of the Mobility Package, which will come into effect on August 20, 2020. Today we are going to take a look at theupdated provisions on mandatory resting periods for drivers.

1. Periods of regular weekly rest. In accordance with the new rules, the driver must spend every resting period over 45 hours outside the cab, in a place with appropriate sanitary equipment while guaranteeing the safety of both the driver and transported cargo. This place may be near a parking lot. Safe and secure parking areas must be audited and certified in accordance with EU standards. Auditing procedures should ensure that parking will meet a certain standard. The obligation to pay for accommodation in such a parking lot will be borne by the transport company. Carriers and drivers will have access to information on available resting areas that meet the standards. It will be available on the website and will be constantly updated. The European Commission will publish a list of all certified parking lots. Attention! When working with a partner, a driver may have a 45-minute break in a vehicle driven by another driver, provided that he will assist the driver operating the vehicle.

2. Breaks. Since the introduction of the new rules, drivers will be required to use the following within two weeks: - two regular resting periods - or one regular reduced resting period and one reduced weekly rest perioding of at least 24 hours.

3. Shorter weekly resting periods. Reduced rest can be taken no later than after the end of six 24-hour periods (which are counted from the end of the previous week regular rest). Drivers on international routes may use two shortened weekly rest periods in a row, provided that for the next 4 weeks of work, weekly resting periods are used, of which at least 2 must be regular weekly rest periods.

4. Weekly rest period. After the driver has used two weekly reduced resting periods in a row, the next will be a weekly regular rest period, along with proper compensation. Such a resting period must necessarily be in the country in which the company is registered in or in a place that accomodates drivers. The return of the driver to the country will need to be confirmed by documents.

5. "Adequate compensation". The driver must receive the remainder of the reduced weekly resting period in a single payment. Compensation is performed before expiration of the third week of work immediately following the week in which the driver had a weekly rest period. However, if the driver uses two reduced weekly resting periods in a row, the next weekly regular resting period must be preceded by compensation for it. Compensated resting periods longer than 45 hours cannot be spent in the cockpit. Like any resting period, lasting more than 45 hours, compensation must be appropriate - along with adequate sleeping and sanitation infrastructure for all genders. Accommodation costs are borne by the employer.

6. Interruption of the resting period during ferry. When a driver accompanies a vehicle transported by ferry or train and rests during a regular daily rest period or a reduced weekly rest period, this period may be interrupted no more than two times by other activities not exceeding one hour in total. Attention! During this rest period, the driver must have access to a bed or sleeping area. This material was provided on the basis of an article from the resource trans.info

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