1. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 1 Professional Driver Training Seminar From Idea to Implementation … “EC/2003/59” and the “Professional Training of Drivers” Istanbul, 29 September 2005 Mathieu Grosch Member of the Committee Transport and Tourism, European Parliament Mathieu Grosch Member of the Committee Transport and Tourism, European Parliament

2. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 2 Purpose of the Directive EXISTING SITUATION: → No compulsory training in the EU (only in F and NL) → Very small number of trained drivers (5-10%) → Basis for professional drivers: driving licence BUT: demand for basically and continuously trained drivers to → improve safety on the road and during stops → boost employment TARGET: avoid large variety of trainings throughout Europe → risk of unfair competition

3. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 3 The legislative procedure 1. European Commission: Proposal02/02/2001 2. European Parliament: First Reading17/01/2002 3. Council of the EU:Common Position05/12/2002 4. European Parliament:Second Reading08/04/2003 5. Council of the EU:Second Reading- 6. Parliament + Council:Conciliation- 7. Legislative Final Act15/07/2003

4. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 4 Commission’s Proposal 02/02/2001 INITIAL PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION: MAJOR POINTS:  Scope: -Professional drivers (engaged in the transportation for payment)  Obligatory basic training: -420 hours for “younger” drivers (“full basic training”) -210 hours for all other drivers entering the profession (“minimum basic training)  Obligatory continuous training: -35 hours every five years  Grandfather rights for all existing drivers  Community codes on driving licence indicating absolving of training

5. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 5 Parliament’s First Reading I 17/01/2002 MAJOR CHANGES PROPOSED BY PARLIAMENT:  Scope: Professional drivers andProfessional drivers and Third-country nationals employed or used by undertaking established in a Member StateThird-country nationals employed or used by undertaking established in a Member State  Possibility to work as trainee during training  Possibility that training leads to driving license  No training for persons who worked 3 years out of 5 prior to this directive

6. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 6 Parliament’s First Reading II 17/01/2002  Basic Training: -Objectives already contained in driving license can be omitted -Final examination by independent examination body  Continuous Training: -35 hours every five years, each session at least 7 hours -Continuous training during working hours -Possibility to undergo training in ANY member state -Transfer of continuous training days  Training Program: -Clear indications of objectives to be attained (Annex) -International Transport Option  Evaluation report by Commission after 3 years

7. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 7 Council’s Common Position I 05/12/2002 POSITION OF THE COUNCIL  New terminology: -Full basic training = Initial qualification -Minimum basic training = Accelerated initial qualification  New: Initial Qualification: Member State choose whether -Compulsory course attendance + successful completion of test -Or: only successful completion of test  New: “Driver training and qualification card”: -Limits for training do not have to comply with periodic renewal of the driving license -Drivers from third-countries covered

8. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 8 Council’s Common Position II 05/12/2002  New: Exceptions for: -Emergency vehicles -Vehicles used in the course of a driving lesson  New: Before returning to work: -Undergo a course of continuous training (if requirements not met)  Change: minimum ages: -23 for category D and DE -Possibility for MS to reduce minimum age for driving on their territory / without passenger  Change: date for entry into force

9. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 9 Parliament’s Second Reading 08/04/2003 AMENDMENTS OF THE PARLIAMENT IN SECOND READING  New requirement on minimum qualification: preventing crime  Top-of-the-range simulators in training  Harmonised criteria for the approval of training centres should include a well-established high level of professionalism

10. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 10 Legislative Final Act → Final legislative act: Directive 2003/59/EC Adopted:15/07/2003 Adopted:15/07/2003 Publication + Entry into force: 10/09/2003 Publication + Entry into force: 10/09/2003 Implementation: 10/09/2006 Implementation: 10/09/2006

11. © International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2005Professional Driver Training Seminar 29-30 Sep 2005Page 11 Professional Driver Training Seminar