Road safety: Commission proposes to modernise the training of professional drivers

Today the European Commission presents a proposal to update and clarify the rules on the initial qualification and periodic training of truck and bus drivers. The objective of this proposal is to contribute to higher road safety standards and to facilitate the mobility of professional drivers. The main novelties include the modernisation of the training, highlighting for example the protection of vulnerable road users and the optimisation of fuel consumption, as well as better recognition of training undergone in another Member State.

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said "A fresh push is needed if Europe's strategic objective of halving the number of road deaths by 2020 is to be reached. Better education and training have a positive impact on road safety, which is why we are today proposing to improve the training of professional drivers."

The proposal will now be examined by the European Parliament and the 28 EU Member States in accordance with the EU ordinary legislative procedure.

Related Documents

Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers and Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences

IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying the document Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers and Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Accompanying the document Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers and Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences