The Dutch Commercial Vehicle Inspectorate announced that it has used drones to check whether drivers comply with the rules of the EU Mobility Package. These devices that are being used in the local rest areas allow to monitor whether drivers comply with the weekly rest period rules. With the help of drones, it is possible to see whether the drivers are sleeping in the truck cabins or whether they are staying elsewhere as specified in the rules.

According to the Mobility Package rules, 45 hours of the weekly rest period must be spent outside of the truck, in sanitary facilities such as hotels that have the proper sleeping equipment.  While it isn’t specified how the inspectorate uses the drones, we can presume that these devices allow to see which drivers leave their vehicles and spend their rest time in the dedicated facilities. If there is a lot of activity in the rest area and most drivers leave their trucks and do not return, it can be assumed that the rules are being followed.

In January, the European Commission issued a clarification of the Mobility Package rules. In this document it was stated that during an inspection, the officers or respective authorities cannot ask drivers to provide documents such as hotel stay invoices to prove that the driver spent the rest period outside of the truck. Despite this, if during the inspection it is proven that the driver violated the rules, they can may receive a fine.
 

Keywords: work for drivers, work for long-haul drivers, EU Mobility Package