Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the training of professional drivers for the carriage of goods or passengers by road
Date: 2001-02-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: carriage of goods, carriage of passengers, drivers, driving instruction, road transport

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Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the training of
professional drivers for the carriage of goods or passengers by road

(2001/C 154 E/23)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(2001) 56 final (cid:151) 2001/0033(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission on 2 February 2001)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 71 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of
Committee,

the Economic and Social

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article
251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) Council Directive 76/914/EEC of 16 December 1976 on
the minimum level of training for some road transport
drivers (1) and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 of
20 December 1985 on the harmonisation of certain social
legislation relating to road transport (2) have enabled
progress to be made in the harmonisation of rules on
vocational training.

(2) However, there are still basic differences between the laws
of the Member States and so further harmonisation is
necessary in this area in order
to contribute to the
achievement of Community policies on the freedom of
freedom of establishment and
movement of workers,
common
freedom to supply services
transport policy.

and on the

(3) Compulsory vocational training within the meaning of
Regulation (EEC) 3820/85 at the moment applies only
to a minority of professional drivers. Most professional
drivers work solely on the basis of their driving licence.

(4) Full basic vocational training, adapted to the requirements
of the road transport sector today, as provided for in
Directive 76/914/EEC and Regulation 3820/85, remains
the benchmark to be attained in the long term. In view
of this, the benefits granted to those who have completed
such training in terms of access to certain categories of
vehicles at a younger age must be increased.

(1) OJ L 357, 29.12.1976, p. 36.
(2) OJ L 370, 20.12.1985, p. 1.

(5) However, the imposition of such a high standard on all
new drivers is likely initially to distort the labour market.
It is therefore advisable to provide for minimum basic
training which will make it possible to demand a lower
level of nonetheless adequate and effective training for all
new drivers, irrespective of their age or the category of
vehicle driven.

(6) The vocational

training must,

in accordance with a
methodological approach, stress the safety rules to be
observed when driving and during stops. The devel-
opment of defensive driving (cid:151) anticipating danger,
making allowance for other road users (cid:151) which goes
hand in hand with rational fuel consumption, will have
a positive impact both on society and on the transport
sector itself. Compulsory vocational training must increase
compliance with transport, traffic and work regulations,
such as the rules on minimum rest periods and maximum
driving and working periods. The vocational
training
must, lastly, also cover concepts which are essential and
important for professional drivers, such as health, safety,
service
sectors
concerned should be associated with setting up and
carrying out such a training programme.

logistics. The

companies

and

and

(7) Professional drivers who are already working before the
Directive enters into force must retain their acquired
rights. Continuous training must be provided to enable
them in particular,
like new drivers later on, to update
their knowledge and to improve their skills with regard to
professional safety and regulations.

(8) This Directive applies irrespective of Council Directive
91/439/EEC on driving licences (3), as last amended by
Commission Directive 2000/56/EC (4), Council Directive
94/55/EC with regard to the transport of dangerous
amended by Directive
last
goods by
2000/61/EC of
the
Council (6), and Council Directive 96/26/EC on access to
the occupation of
road haulage operator and road
passenger transport operator (7), as amended by Council
Directive 98/76/EC (8).

the European Parliament and of

road (5),

as

(3) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 45.
(5) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994, p. 7.
(6) OJ L 279, 1.11.2000, p. 40.
(7) OJ L 124, 23.5.1996, p. 1.
(8) OJ L 277, 14.10.1998, p. 17.

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(9) So as not to prejudice the right of the representatives of
employers and employees to specify,
in particular by
means of collective bargaining agreements, provisions
which are more favourable to workers,
the Annex to
this Directive lays down minimum requirements for voca-
tional training.

(10) As the measures needed to adapt

the Annex to this
Directive to technical progress are measures of general
scope within the meaning of Article 2 of Council
Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down
the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers
conferred on the Commission (1), those measures must be
adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure
provided for in Article 5 of that Directive.

(11) Annexes I and Ia to Council Directive 91/439/EEC need to
be amended in order to add the codes corresponding to
the compulsory training followed.

(12) Directive 79/914/EC must be revoked,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Scope

(c) vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development,
rebuilt

repair or maintenance purposes, and new or
vehicles which have not yet been put into service;

(d) vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of goods for

personal use;

(e) vehicles carrying material or equipment to be used by the
driver in the course of his work within a 50 kilometre
radius
from the place where the vehicle is normally
based, provided that driving the vehicle is not the driver’s
principal activity and that the exemption does not prejudice
the aims of this Directive. The Member States may make
this exemption subject to an individual permit.

of

The

provisions

this Directive

2.
down
requirements which are the same as those laid down by
Directive 96/26/EC do not apply to applicants
for basic
training who have already met the requirements of Directive
96/26/EC on the date of entry into force of this Directive.

laying

The occupation of road transport driver shall be governed by
the provisions which the Member States adopt in conformity
with the common rules in this Directive.

Article 4

Compulsory training

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive:

(a)

(cid:145)professional driver for the carriage of goods by road(cid:146)
means a driver engaged in the transportation of goods
for payment;

(b) (cid:145)professional driver for the carriage of passengers by road(cid:146)
means a driver engaged in the transportation of passengers
for payment;

(c)

(cid:145)C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE(cid:146) means the categories of
driving licences as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC;

(d) (cid:145)normal residence(cid:146) is residence as defined in Article 9 of

Directive 91/439/EEC.

Article 3

Exemptions

the occupation of professional driver

Exercise of
the
carriage of goods or passengers by road shall be subject to
the basic training and the
the successful completion of
continuous training as provided for in this Directive.

for

lead to the
The successful completion of such training shall
issue of the document or certificate concerned on the basis
of which
the
Community code for the training completed on the driving
licence of the person concerned.

shall mark

authorities

competent

the

Article 5

Acquired rights

Professional drivers for the carriage of goods or passengers by
road who have been working on the day of entry into force of
this Directive or for three years out of a period of five years
prior to the entry into force of this Directive shall be exempted
to undergo basic training without
from the requirement
prejudice
on
minimum ages and categories of driving licences.

to Community

provisions

national

and

1.

This Directive shall not apply to carriage by:

(a) vehicles with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding

30 kilometres per hour;

(b) vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces,
civil defence, the fire service and forces responsible for
maintaining public order;

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

Article 6

Basic training

for

Any person taking up the occupation of professional
1.
driver
the carriage of goods or passengers by road
following the entry into force of this Directive shall undergo
basic vocational
training, as defined in the Annex to this
Directive.

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The basic vocational training shall consist of either full
2.
basic training or minimum basic training, depending directly
on the minimum age and the categories of vehicles driven.
These two types of basic training, which are defined in the
Annex to this Directive, differ only as regards the length of
training and the degree of detailed instruction given.

3.
To be accepted for the basic training, the applicant shall
hold the relevant driving licence. However, access to full basic
training, which is given to young people under the age of 18
years as part of vocational
training, does not require the
driving licence concerned to be held in advance.

Professional drivers for the carriage of goods by road may

4.
work:

(a)

from the age of 18 years:

(i) on a vehicle in categories C and CE, provided they have

undergone full basic training;

(ii) on a vehicle in categories C1 and C1E, provided they

have undergone minimum basic training;

Article 7

Test of knowledge

1.
The common part for the minimum basic training shall
be subject to a final examination. After this examination, those
wishing to become professional drivers shall undergo specific
training in a company or an approved training centre. On
completion of
the common
part and the specific training, a minimum basic training
document shall be issued to the driver.

the two parts of

the training,

2.
The common part for the full basic training shall be
subject to a final examination. After the examination, those
wishing to become professional drivers shall undergo specific
training in a company or an approved training centre. On
completion of
the common
part and the specific training, a certificate of professional
competence shall be issued to the driver.

the two parts of

the training,

Article 8

Continuous training

(b) from the age of 21 years: on a vehicle in categories C and
CE, provided they have undergone minimum basic training.

Professional drivers for the carriage of passengers by road

5.
may work:

1.
Continuous training shall consist of training to enable
persons already working as professional drivers on the date
of entry into force of this Directive to update the knowledge
which is essential for their work, with a specific emphasis on
road safety and rationalisation of fuel consumption.

(a)

from the age of 18 years:

(i) on a vehicle in categories D and DE used for the
carriage of passengers on regular services where the
route does not exceed 50 kilometre provided they
have undergone full basic training;

(ii) on a vehicle in categories D1 and D1E, provided they

have undergone full basic training;

(b) from the age of 21 years:

(i) on a vehicle in categories D and DE, provided they

have undergone full basic training;

(ii) on a vehicle in categories D1 and D1E, provided they

have undergone minimum basic training;

(c)

from the age of 24 years:

(i) on a vehicle in categories D and DE, provided they have

undergone minimum basic training.

for

Professional drivers

carriage of goods or
6.
passengers by road who have completed full basic training
for one of the categories provided for in paragraphs 4 and 5
shall be exempted from undergoing basic training for any other
of the categories of vehicles referred to in those paragraphs.

the

Continuous training shall be given over a continuous period.

for

the

Professional drivers

carriage of goods or
2.
passengers by road shall undergo continuous
training as
defined in the Annex to this Directive. The continuous
the driver
training shall vary according to the profile of
concerned and be based on an assessment
is
intended to expand on and to revise certain points covered
to be
during the basic training programme,
covered being identified during the interview.

the points

interview.

It

On completion of

3.
certificate is issued to the driver.

the training, a continuous training

for

the

Professional drivers

4.
carriage of goods or
passengers by road who have been working on the day of
entry into force of this Directive or for three years out of
the five years prior to the entry into force of this Directive
shall undergo the continuous training during the first renewal
of their driving licence and no later than five years following
the entry into force of this Directive.

Article 9

Place of training and validity of training documents

Professional drivers for the carriage of goods who broaden or
modify their activities in order to carry passengers, or vice-
versa, shall not be required to repeat the common parts of
the specified training.

1.
Professional drivers undergo the basic and continuous
vocational training in the Member State in which they are
normally resident or in which they are able to provide proof
of having been a student for a period of at least six months.

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The minimum basic training document, the certificate of
2.
professional competence and the continuous training document
shall be recognised by all the Member States. The period of
validity of the continuous training document shall not exceed
five years.

The documents and certificates issued by the Member States on
the basis of existing national provisions up to the date on
which this Directive enters into force shall be recognised as
training documents and certificates within the meaning of this
Directive.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the regulatory
procedure provided for in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall apply, in compliance with the provisions of Article 7(3)
and Article 8 of that Decision.

The period provided for in Article 5(6) of Decision

3.
1999/468/EC shall be three months.

Article 13

Entry into force

Article 10

Community codes

Member States shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive before 1 January 2004. They shall forthwith inform
the Commission thereof.

The following codes shall be added to the list of harmonised
Community codes as laid down in Annexes I and Ia to
Directive 91/439/EEC:

95. Holder of the minimum basic training document

96. Holder of the certificate of professional competence

97. Holder of the continuous training certificate.

When Member States adopt these provisions, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such
reference at
their official publication. The
procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member
States.

time of

the

Article 14

Repeal

Article 11

Directive 76/914/EEC is hereby repealed as of 1 January 2004.

Adaptation to scientific and technical progress

The amendments necessary to adapt the Annex to scientific
and technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with
the procedure laid down in Article 12.

Article 12

Committee

1.
The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on
Driving Licences set up by Article 7 of Directive 91/439/EEC
on driving licences.

Article 15

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

Article 16

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

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ANNEX

MINIMUM VOCATIONAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 1 (cid:151) TRAINING PROGRAMME

1.

Training programme

1.1.

Advanced training in rational driving based on safety regulations

1.1.1.

technical characteristics: transmission system, curves relating to torque, power, and specific consumption of an
engine, area of optimum use of revolution counter, gearbox ratio cover diagrams;

1.1.2. braking, ABS, retarder, speed governor: operating principles, specific features of hydraulic vacuum servobrake
circuit, limits to the use of brakes and retarder, combined use of brakes and retarder, use of braking systems on
different types of road and under different atmospheric conditions, stopping and braking distance, making better
use of speed and gear ratio, making use of vehicle inertia, using ways of slowing down and braking on downhill
stretches, effects of weights and dimensions, controls and checks which are the responsibility of the driver,
action in the event of failure;

1.1.3.

accident prevention: hazard perception, behaviour and vigilance on the part of the driver, factors contributing to
road accidents, aggravating factors as regards lorries, driving hazards due to the state of the road surface and in
particular how they change with atmospheric conditions, the time of day or night, driving on undulating roads
and in tunnels, parking, effect of speed on the vehicle;

1.1.4.

consideration for other road users: awareness of other road users’ intentions, specific factors as regards other
road users (slow vehicles, light vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians), road safety measures;

1.1.5. professional manoeuvres: identifying obstacles, preparation for manoeuvring, visibility, blind spots, swept area,

behaviour and safety when manoeuvring, performance of professional manoeuvres;

1.1.6.

environment: optimisation of fuel consumption by applying know-how as regards each of the abovementioned
points;

1.1.7.

loading: forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox ratios according to vehicle load and road profile,
calculation of payload of vehicle or assembly, calculation of total volume, load distribution, consequences of
overloading the axle, vehicle stability and centre of gravity, types of packaging and pallets, use of the tailgate lift
(categories C1, C1E, C, CE only);

1.1.8.

securing: main categories of goods needing securing, clamping and securing techniques, use of securing straps,
checking of securing devices, use of handling equipment, placing and removal of tarpaulins (categories C1, C1E,
C, CE only);

1.1.9. passenger safety and comfort: the driver’s responsibility, carriage of children, pre-departure checks (categories

D1, D1E, D, DE only);

1.2.

Application of regulations

1.2.1. Regulations on transport and related activities: administration of the occupation, transport operating licences,
obligations under standard contracts for the carriage of goods, drafting of documents which form the transport
contract, international transport permits, obligations under the Convention on the Contract for the International
Carriage of Goods by Road, drafting of the international consignment note, crossing borders, freight forwarders,
special documents accompanying goods;

1.2.2.

road traffic regulations: road signs, traffic restrictions and prohibitions, parking and stopping, use of special
infrastructure, safety distance and stopping distance, specific speed limits for lorries/coaches, checks and
penalties;

1.2.3.

social regulations: maximum working periods specific to the transport industry, principles, application and
consequences of Regulations 3820/85 and 3821/85, penalties for failure to use,
improper use of and
tampering with the tachograph;

1.3.

Health, safety, service, logistics

1.3.1.

awareness about accidents at work: types of accidents at work in the transport sector, road accident statistics,
involvement of lorries/coaches, human, material and financial consequences;

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1.3.2.

trafficking in illegal immigrants and illegal immigration: general information, implications for drivers, preventive
measures, check list, legislation on transport operator liability;

1.3.3.

ergonomic principles; movements and postures which pose a risk, physical position of the body, physical fitness
(importance of the work of the muscles), posture and coordination of movements, handling exercises, personal
protection;

1.3.4. health: choice of food, effects of alcohol, drugs or any other substance likely to affect behaviour, symptoms,

causes, effects of fatigue and stress, fundamental role of the basic work/rest cycle;

1.3.5. behaviour in an emergency situation: assessment of

the situation, avoiding complications of an accident,
summoning assistance, giving first aid to casualties, reaction in the event of fire, basic principles for the
drafting of an accident report;

1.3.6. knowledge of the economic environment of road transport: transport sector in relation to other sectors of the
economy, road transport in relation to other modes of transport, different road transport activities (transport for
hire or reward, own account, auxiliary transport activities), organisation of the main types of transport company
and auxiliary transport activities, different transport specialisations (road tanker, controlled temperature, etc.),
changes in the industry (diversification of services provided, rail-road, subcontracting, etc.);

1.3.7.

knowledge of the social environment of road transport: basic and continuous training for drivers, vocational
training;

1.3.8. business and standards: business and the business environment (competition, shippers), commercial and financial

effects of a dispute, procedure for certification of transport companies;

1.3.9. behaviour of the driver and company image: importance for the company of the standard of service provided by
the driver, the roles of the driver, people with whom the driver will be dealing, vehicle maintenance, work
organisation, interpersonal aspects.

SECTION 2 (cid:151) STRUCTURE OF BASIC TRAINING

The basic vocational training shall consist of two parts: a common part for all professional drivers, with variations for
the carriage of goods or the carriage of passengers, and specific training given within a company in the sector in which
the professional driver will work or in an approved training centre.

The common part must in particular cover advanced training in rational driving based on safety rules, the observance of
all transport, traffic and work regulations, and the concepts of health, safety, service and logistics, as defined in the
Annex to this Directive.

The specific training must enable what has been learnt in the identical parts of the training to be specifically applied in
the immediate environment in which the professional driver works. The training covers the same subjects as are taught
during the common part, but applies them to the specific situation in the company or sector concerned. In this way,
new professional drivers will do part of their training on the type of vehicle they will be using afterwards; they will
learn about specific regulations, contracts and documents; they will acquire knowledge about specific logistics chains.
The specific training will therefore involve companies in the sector concerned in the basic training of professional
drivers.

SECTION 3 (cid:151) LENGTH OF TRAINING

The length of the minimum basic vocational training is 140 hours for the common part and 70 hours for the specific
part.

The length of the full basic vocational training is 420 hours for the common part and 210 hours for the specific part.

During each of the basic training periods, at least 30 % of the time available will be devoted to each of the paragraphs
1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, the remainder being used according to the profile of the driver concerned.

At least half of the basic training in paragraph 1.1 will be carried out under real driving conditions, in a vehicle of the
category concerned which meets the requirements for test vehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC. In view of the
possibility that several persons may take part in the driving under real conditions in one and the same vehicle, it must
be specified that each driver must drive for at least ten hours on their own.

The continuous vocational training is 35 hours every five years. The training varies according to the profile of the driver
concerned.

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SECTION 4 (cid:151) TEST OF KNOWLEDGE

The minimum basic vocational training concludes with an examination of the knowledge acquired during the training.
The examination must make it possible to check that participants have learnt the main points covered during the
training.

The full basic vocational training concludes with an examination of the knowledge acquired during the training. The
examination must cover each of the main points dealt with and include at least one question on each of paragraphs 1.1,
1.2 and 1.3.

SECTION 5 (cid:151) APPROVAL OF THE TRAINING

5.1.

The training courses for the common part of the basic training and for the continuous training must be
approved by the competent authority. Approval may only be given following a written application. The
application for approval must be accompanied by the following documents:

5.1.1.

a detailed training programme specifying the subjects taught and setting out the proposed implementing plan
and teaching methods;

5.1.2.

the instructors’ qualifications and fields of activity;

5.1.3.

information about the premises where the courses are given, the teaching materials, the resources made available
for the practical work, and the vehicle fleet used;

5.1.4.

the conditions regarding participation in the courses (number of participants).

5.2.

The competent authority must give approval in writing subject to the following conditions:

5.2.1.

the training must be given in accordance with the documents accompanying the application;

5.2.2.

the competent authority reserves the right to send authorised persons to assist in the training courses and
examinations;

5.2.3.

the competent authority must be informed in good time of the dates and places of each training course;

5.2.4.

the approval may be withdrawn if the conditions of approval are not complied with.

The training body must guarantee that the instructors have a sound knowledge of regulations and training requirements
for vocational training and that they will cover the latest changes. Instructors must have five years’ experience as a
professional driver, have completed full basic training and continuous training and have a knowledge of both education
and teaching. The programme of instruction must be in accordance with the approval and must cover the subjects
referred to in paragraphs 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3.