Directive 2006/22/EC

If Regulation (EC) 561/2006 is the 'what' (the rules on driving and rest times), then Directive 2006/22/EC is the 'how' (how those rules are enforced). This directive's main purpose is to harmonize the enforcement of social legislation across all EU member states to ensure it is applied consistently and effectively.

What the directive requires

Key provisions of the directive include:

• Minimum Number of Checks: It obliges member states to perform a minimum number of roadside checks and checks at the premises of undertakings. This number is linked to the total number of days worked by drivers in that country.
• Quality of Checks: It specifies what must be checked during an inspection, including daily and weekly driving times, breaks, and rest periods.
• Risk Rating System: It requires member states to establish a risk rating system for transport undertakings. Companies with more frequent or serious infringements are assigned a higher risk rating and are subject to more frequent and thorough checks.
• Cooperation between States: It fosters cooperation and information exchange between the enforcement authorities of different member states.

What it guarantees

In short, this directive ensures that the rules are not just words on paper but are actively and uniformly enforced across the European Union.