2024 Mobility Package – what changes await the transport industry this year?

The Mobility Package – what is it?

The Mobility Package is a set of regulations established by the European Union aimed at improving the road transport sector. It focuses on several key aspects: 

• regulating driver working and rest times
• rules for delegating employees
• introducing fair competition
• rules for using tachographs

The aim of the package is not only to improve drivers’ working conditions, but also to provide equal opportunities to all transport companies operating in the European Union, which translates into greater transparency and safety in the industry. Since its introduction, the mobility package has sparked many discussions and is the subject of constant analysis both among companies and drivers.

Who does the mobility package apply to?

The mobility package applies to a wide range of entities operating in the transport industry in the European Union. It includes mainly:

• carriers – all companies providing road transport of goods and people, regardless of the size of the fleet or scope of activity
• professional drivers – the mobility package directly affects the daily work of drivers performing international and domestic transport
• logistics and forwarding companies – changes affect the organization of supply chains and transport costs

Mobility package in 2024 – changes

2024 has brought about a number of new challenges for the transport industry resulting from further stages of implementation of the mobility package. Below we present the most important modifications that should be taken into account when planning your business activity in the coming year.

1.      Fifth generation tachographs

From 2024, all newly registered vehicles will have to be equipped with second-generation smart tachographs. Using satellite systems, they will automatically record the moment the national border is crossed.

2.      License for a wider group of enterprises

From May 2024, new transport license requirements will be introduced. They will apply to enterprises carrying out road transport using vehicles with a GVW greater than 2.5 tons. This means that even smaller transport companies will have to adapt to new regulations, which may be particularly important for the SME sector.

3.      Extending the scope of control

The scope of roadside checks will be increased from 28 to 56 days, which means that inspections can go back further in time to verify compliance with working and rest time rules.

4.      New rest and working time rules

The mobility package specifies the rules regarding regular weekly rest and its compensation. Carriers must plan their routes to enable drivers to return to their home or business premises at least once every four weeks.

These changes are a continuation of the reform process that began in 2020 and requires all affected parties to constantly monitor and adapt to new regulations.

How to annotate the tachograph printout in accordance with the mobility package

The tachograph printout is a key document in the transport industry, allowing for the verification of compliance with drivers’ working and rest time regulations. The mobility package introduces additional requirements in this area, especially when the driver decides to extend the driving time.

Extended driving time

If the driver uses the option to extend the driving time by 1 or 2 hours, this has to be properly documented on the tachograph printout. The driver is required to enter the reason for extending the journey, which may due to a desire to return to the base or place of residence. Such annotation should be made manually on the tachograph printout before starting the daily rest.

Compensation for extended driving time

If an extension of driving time is used, it is also necessary to document the compensation, which consists of taking additional rest. The driver must indicate on the tachograph printout when and for how long he or she has been compensated to ensure compliance with the mobility package requirements.

How to annotate exceeded driving time

If the permitted driving time is unintentionally exceeded, an appropriate annotation should also be made on the tachograph printout, indicating the reason for the exceedance. This may be connected with external circumstances, such as delays due to road or weather conditions.

Accurate and correct description of tachograph printouts is necessary not only to comply with regulations, but also to avoid potential fines during road inspections.

Summary: mobility package and driver working conditions

The mobility package is, in theory, intended to improve the working conditions of professional drivers in the European Union. Nevertheless, entrepreneurs indicate that the offer of Polish carriers is currently less competitive compared to companies from the West and the East. This, combined with certain concessions to Ukraine, is causing great tensions in the entire industry. In theory, the mobility package is supposed to ensure fair wages, greater transparency and control. The question is whether this is not too far-reaching interference in the free market?