Police Intercept Two Unauthorized Truck Drivers: Non-License Holder Picks Up Another, Both Vehicles Have severe Defects in Moers
In an incident that highlights the importance of adhering to EU road safety regulations, a Bulgarian truck was stopped by highway police on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:30 AM. The driver of the truck was a 55-year-old Macedonian, who, it was discovered, did not have a valid driver's license.
The truck, registered in the EU, was found to have several serious safety issues. The brake pressure reservoir was temporarily secured with a lashing strap, and the tractor unit had makeshift repairs. The defects included a lack of braking effect on the rear axle, a problem with the steering, and an air suspension bellows on the verge of bursting. These issues posed a significant risk to the driver, other road users, and the general public.
The driver was prohibited from continuing his journey, and the company was informed that the tractor unit would have to be towed away. The incident underscores the need for third-country drivers operating EU-registered trucks to comply with EU road transport regulations, including having their driving licenses recognized and abiding by social and employment regulations.
The regulation for this inspection aims to curb illegal employment. Drivers from third countries operating EU-registered trucks must provide proof of their legal employment status. This is a crucial aspect of ensuring fair competition and maintaining high safety standards in the EU transport sector.
The EU recognises professional truck driving as a highly skilled job and is actively developing mechanisms to attract non-EU driver talent into the EU labor market. Employment status and integration into the EU workforce involve social dialogue and specific measures to address skills shortages and labor market access.
The involvement of sectoral social dialogue at the EU level helps to shape how non-EU workers are integrated and protected in the sector. All drivers operating in the EU, including third-country drivers, must abide by EU rules on driving times, rest periods, and tachograph requirements to ensure safety and fair competition. New rules requiring smart tachographs and compliance with posting rules for drivers are coming into force by July 2026 for certain vehicles.
Germany and other EU countries facing acute driver shortages are actively seeking ways to employ third-country drivers more easily, including legal changes to recognise foreign licenses and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. They also emphasise the employment conditions that would retain such workers, like improved facilities and working environments.
Drivers on international routes must often follow conventions like the AETR (European Agreement on International Road Transport), which regulate working hours and conditions for international road haulage. These apply to third-country drivers operating EU trucks on cross-border routes.
In summary, third-country truck drivers must have their licenses recognised by EU authorities and comply with EU social and road safety rules to operate EU-registered trucks. Employment is supported by EU initiatives to attract foreign drivers as skilled labor, but legal and social frameworks continue to evolve to facilitate this integration and ensure compliance with EU regulations on driver welfare and road safety.
- The manufacturing industry's concern for road safety was emphasized when a Bulgarian truck with several safety issues was stopped in an EU highway, revealing non-compliance with regulations.
- The automotive industry may need to consider the impact of the EU's regulations on third-country drivers, as stricter rules are being implemented to ensure safety and fair competition.
- The criminal justice system could potentially intervene in cases where third-country drivers operating EU-registered trucks are found to be driving without a valid license or appropriate employment status.
- General-news outlets might report on the development of finance-related measures aimed at attracting non-EU driver talent into the EU labor market, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain high safety standards in the transportation sector.
