New EU Van Regulations Create Light Vehicle Capacity Challenges
New EU transport rules introduced on July 1st have brought many internationally operated vans and light commercial vehicles into the scope of tachograph and drivers’ hours legislation for the first time.
The requirements apply to vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of more than 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes when used for international goods transport. Previously, these obligations generally applied only to vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.
Forming part of the EU Mobility Package, the legislation is designed to improve road safety, promote fair competition and strengthen compliance across Europe’s road transport sector. Drivers are now required to record driving time, other work, breaks and rest periods using a second-generation smart tachograph.
For operators providing dedicated van, express and time-critical transport services, meeting the new requirements has involved considerable preparation, investment and driver training.
The first few weeks have also shown how regulatory changes can affect the market in practice. Availability of smaller vehicles has tightened at a time when demand for urgent European transport remains strong.
Some operators had not completed the necessary tachograph installations before the deadline, temporarily removing vehicles from service, while others decided to withdraw from this area of international transport altogether.
Although capacity remains below demand, availability is gradually improving as more compliant vehicles enter or return to the market.
Killick Martin’s European logistics team continues to monitor developments closely, working with its network of trusted partners to secure suitable capacity and minimise disruption to customers’ supply chains.
