Spending weekly rest in one's own cab is likely to soon be a thing of the past for truck drivers in Germany. Our eastern neighbours have drafted a bill restricting weekend rest in the cab. In early December, German employers' and workers' organisations will sit down with the German government to discuss changes to the conditions.
Germany not the first country
Transport Logistiek Nederland has seen the bill and reports the impending change in the rules. Other countries such as France, Belgium and Austria have already banned the so-called weekend rest. Germany wants to go a step further than the other European countries. Drivers, if the law is actually changed, will be obliged to take weekly rest in their own home town or at an employer's location. This must be done in a permanent residence which means a cab will no longer be allowed as a resting place. As such, the working week must be tightly planned so that drivers can comply with the rules. A hotel visit is also not allowed in the process, making the law's new conditions stricter than those of the French and Belgians.
Violation with major consequences
When drivers do not comply with the law, their rest periods are not considered actual rest. Should an inspection reveal that the rules have been violated, the vehicle may even be immobilised.
The industry association, Deutscher Speditions- und Logistikverband, has already said it is not happy with the new bill. According to the organisation, it restricts the freedom of drivers and their ability to plan properly for drivers and vehicles, thus having a distant impact on Germany's competitiveness. According to DSLV, proper monitoring is also not feasible.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
