© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage IRU Academy Seminar Latest Changes and Developments on International Road Transport Legislation: Professional Driver Training Saint-Petersburg, 28 September 2006 Mathieu Grosch Member of the Committee Transport and Tourism, European Parliament Mathieu Grosch Member of the Committee Transport and Tourism, European Parliament

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 2 SITUATION BEFORE DIRECTIVE: → Compulsory training only in a few Member States of the EU (F and NL) → Very small number of trained drivers (5-10%) → Only basis for professional drivers: driving license BUT: demand for basically and continuously trained drivers to → improve safety on the road and during stops → boost employment → develop eco driving → valuate the profession Purpose of the Directive

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 3 TARGET: → Avoid large variety of trainings throughout Europe → Avoid risk of unfair competition → Harmonization THEREFORE: Proposal of European Directive → Proposal by European Commission in 2001 → Adoption by codecision (European Parliament and Council) in 2003 Purpose of the Directive

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 4 The new directive 2003/59/EC The new directive provides for: a basic training (initial qualification) a basic training (initial qualification) and a continuous (periodic) training and a continuous (periodic) training for ALL drivers for ALL drivers - who are nationals of the Member States - or who are employed or used by an undertaking established in a Member State

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 5 The new directive 2003/59/EC  Initial qualification: To get permission to work as professional driver, one has to follow an instruction and to pass a test or only pass a test To get permission to work as professional driver, one has to follow an instruction and to pass a test or only pass a test 2 versions of instruction: 280h or accelerated (70h) 2 versions of instruction: 280h or accelerated (70h) Those who are already working as professional drivers will not have to follow initial qualification Those who are already working as professional drivers will not have to follow initial qualification  Periodic training: Once the permission to work is obtained, the driver has to follow regularly training sessions to update and to ameliorate knowledge and skills Once the permission to work is obtained, the driver has to follow regularly training sessions to update and to ameliorate knowledge and skills 35h every 5 years 35h every 5 years  Initial qualification + periodic training necessary to obtain and hold “Certificate of Professional Competence” (CPC)

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 6 The new directive 2003/59/EC: The implementation  Adopted by Parliament + Council :15/07/2003  Publication + Entry into force : 10/09/2003  Transposition in Member States :10/09/2006  Training for all new bus drivers:10/09/2008  Training for all new truck drivers:10/09/2009  First training for all actual drivers until:10/09/2014  4 to 5 million drivers have to follow a first periodic training before 2014

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 7 Transposition: Initial qualification  The new directive is a framework directive Member states have possibilities to chose the way they implement the directive (subsidiarity) Member states have possibilities to chose the way they implement the directive (subsidiarity)  2 options for member states for initial qualification: Option 1: course attendance and a test - - Version 1: long training (280 hours) - - Version 2: accelerated training (70 hours); restricted access (Category C only from 21 years on instead of 18, Cat D from 24 instead of 21, …) Option 2: only tests (theoretical and practical) - - Theoretical test: min. 4 h; Practical test: min. 30 minutes

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 8 Transposition: Initial qualification  Member states probably choosing for: Option 1 (training and tests): Option 1 (training and tests): - - France, Poland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland Option 2 (only tests): - UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Malta Combination of the two : Combination of the two : - Germany, Lithuania - But Commission contests this option

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 9 Periodic training  Periodic training: 35h every five years in periods of at least 7 h  As regards the periodic training: Member States have to designate their “Approved training centre” Member States have to designate their “Approved training centre” Member States have to decide on timetable for first course of periodic training for drivers already in function Member States have to decide on timetable for first course of periodic training for drivers already in function Where has the driver to undergo training? Member state of residence or member state of work? (cooperation of member states) Where has the driver to undergo training? Member state of residence or member state of work? (cooperation of member states) Record of the qualification: Qualification card or inscription on driving licence? Record of the qualification: Qualification card or inscription on driving licence?

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 10 Periodic training  Additional questions: Utilisation of “top-of-the-range” simulators Utilisation of “top-of-the-range” simulators - Interesting to learn about difficult circumstances (night, rain, snow, …) - Which simulators are “top-of-the-range”? - Commission should give a clearer definition E-learning E-learning - Possible in principle, but: - Drivers not necessarily familiar with computers - How to control who is behind the computer? - Waiting for position of Commission

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage 11 ChallengesChallenges  For example: Level playing field: introduction in all Member States at the same time? Level playing field: introduction in all Member States at the same time? Cooperation employers / employees / training centres / public authorities to target the training most efficiently Cooperation employers / employees / training centres / public authorities to target the training most efficiently

© International Road Transport Union (IRU) IRU Academy SeminarPage IRU Academy Seminar