IP/09/421

Brussels, 19 March 2009

Transport: Commission sends a reasoned opinion to Portugal for failing to report on penalty systems concerning driving time and rest periods for truck drivers

Portugal has failed to submit information on penalty systems concerning driving time and rest periods for truck drivers as required by European Union legislation. The Commission sent today a reasoned opinion to Portugal, which has two months to respond if it wants to avoid being taken to the European Court of Justice.

Under Article 19 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on driving time and rest periods^[1] all Member States are obliged to lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of that Regulation and of Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on the recording equipment^[2], and take all measures necessary to ensure that the national rules are applied. These rules and measures should have been notified to the European Commission by 11 April 2007.

In order to promote the harmonised application of social rules in road transport, the Commission will assess the penalty systems applied in all Member States with a view to publishing a report by 1 May 2009.

^[1] OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 1

^[2] OJ L 370, 31.12.1985, p. 8