IP/09/179

Brussels, 29 January 2009

Working time of lorry and coach drivers: Commission sends reasoned opinion to the Netherlands

The European Commission today sent a reasoned opinion to the Netherlands for its failure to comply with European social rules for lorry and coach drivers. This is the last step before a formal complaint is sent to the Court of Justice.

Directive 2002/15/EC concerns the organisation of total working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities (essentially lorry and coach drivers). The Directive limits the maximum period of work to 48 hours a week over a reference period of maximum six months. The Dutch measures transposing this piece of European law allow, however, a maximum average weekly working time of 55 hours. The Dutch law is therefore not in conformity with the requirements of the Directive.