The Official Journal of the European Union, dated May 31, 2024, published Delegated Directive 2024/846, introducing significant changes to the regulations governing road transport companies' infractions concerning driving and rest times and the use of smart tachographs. Specifically, the directive addresses the risk classification system for violations committed by transport companies, amending the previous Directive 2006/22/EC, and must be adopted by member states by February 25, 2025.
The update is part of a system that assigns transport companies a score based on serious infractions committed, with the prospect that exceeding a certain level could result in the suspension of the company's operations. Infractions are divided into two categories: very serious (Img) and serious (IG). The new directive updates the category in which some infractions are included. Regarding work organization, a serious infraction (IG) is applied to a company that does not organize drivers' activities so that they can return to the employer's operational base or their place of residence.
The section concerning driving and rest times is more detailed. Very serious infractions (Img) include the failure to take compensatory rest for two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods and taking the regular weekly rest period or more than 45 hours on board the vehicle. A serious infraction (IG) is not covering the cost of accommodation outside the vehicle.
Another chapter concerns the use of the tachograph. The failure to enter information on the recording sheet is a very serious infraction (Img). Serious infractions (IG) include the failure to indicate the symbols of the countries crossed by the driver during the daily work period and the failure to indicate the symbols of the countries where the driver started and ended the daily work period.
