In a deal struck early this morning EU negotiators agreed to a political deal on new rules on driving licences. 

The initial proposal from the European Commission, published in 2023, would have required all EU countries to allow 17-year-olds to train to drive a lorry.  But the final deal merely makes this optional for Member States.  

Ellen Townsend, Policy Director of the European Transport Safety Council said:

“Allowing teenagers to drive lorries at 17 is and always was a terrible idea.  Data from several countries show that younger drivers of heavy goods vehicles are much more likely to crash.  We urge Member States not to take up this option.”  

The legislation introduces some positive changes.  For the first time, there will be a probationary period of at least two years for all new drivers in the EU.  However, the headline initiative to require all Member States to introduce a total alcohol ban for novice drivers has been dropped.  Instead, Member States should apply stricter rules or sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  

Townsend commented:

“Zero tolerance on drink-driving for all new drivers was a simple and effective rule that should have been applied across the EU.  It’s a shame that Member States have watered down this text.  We hope the remaining EU countries that don’t yet apply this rule will do so soon, in particular Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Finland that still have a 0.5 BAC limit for novice drivers.  All other EU countries have or will soon have either a zero or 0.2 limit for novice drivers.”    

In the future, learner drivers will also be trained on new driver assistance technologies, another important step forward.  

Another small change in the legislation will enable more people to use an alcohol interlock instead of receiving a driving ban for drink-driving in countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Poland and Sweden that have such a programme.

In addition, additional restrictions will soon come into force in France, Austria, and Italy.

February 2 – Our Lady of Candlemas

Liechtenstein

A truck ban will be in place from 00:00 to 24:00 for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of over 3.5 tonnes, as well as for vehicle combinations with a GVW exceeding 5 tonnes.

February 8 – Slovenian Culture Day

Slovenia

A traffic ban will apply from 08:00 to 22:00 for heavy goods vehicles and vehicle combinations with a GVW exceeding 7.5 tonnes.

Additional traffic bans in France

At the end of December 2024, the French Ministry of the Interior issued a decree introducing additional annual restrictions on truck movements for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. These restrictions will also apply in February and March.

The bans will be in force on the following Saturdays:

• February 8, 15, and 22, from 07:00 to 18:00.

The list of roads affected by these restrictions can be found in our dedicated article on the topic.

Block checks and winter bans

Austria and Italy

Additional winter traffic restrictions have been introduced on certain roads in Austria and Italy.

On the Austrian A12 Inntal Autobahn, A13 Brenner Autobahn, and A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn, the movement of trucks with a GVW of over 7.5 tonnes will be prohibited on the following dates:

• Every Saturday from 11 January to 15 March 2025 (inclusive)
• Saturday 12 April 2025
• Every Saturday from 7 June to 27 September 2025 (inclusive)
• Ban duration: 07:00 to 15:00

Additionally, trucks over 7.5 tonnes will be prohibited from driving on the A13 Brenner motorway from the Italian border to the Nößlach junction (if their route includes the motorway section from the Brenner Nord junction to the Nößlach junction in the direction of Innsbruck) on the following dates:

• Every Saturday from 11 January to 15 March 2025 (inclusive), from 07:00 to 15:00

Block Checks at the German-Austrian Border

Aside from traffic bans, Austria conducts block checks at the Kufstein/Kiefersfelden border crossing with Germany, which can cause delays for truck drivers. Trucks are allowed to cross the border in blocks of 250 vehicles per hour.

Traffic metering is scheduled for the following dates:

• 3, 10, 17, and 24 February 2025

Truck bans in Italy (South Tyrol)

The government of the Italian region of South Tyrol has imposed a truck driving ban on the A22 Autostrada del Brennero, from Vipiteno to the state border, on all Saturdays from 11 January to 15 March 2025.

• The restriction applies to all trucks with a GVW of over 7.5 tonnes.
• The ban will be in effect every Saturday during this period from 07:00 to 22:00.

Starting January 1, 2025, several European countries have implemented new toll regulations and rate increases for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Notable changes include a 40% increase in Slovakia, 5% in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, 3.4% in Hungary, and 2.86% in Wallonia, Belgium. Denmark’s Oresund Bridge toll rises by 1.5%, while the UK’s M6 Toll sees a 1% hike beginning January 3. France anticipates an average increase of 0.92% from February 1, with specific rates varying by operator. Austria introduces a dedicated bus toll rate, while Eurovignette rates remain unchanged until March 24, 2025.

https://www.as24.com/en/european-toll-rates-changes-2025

The SENT system, designed to monitor specific categories of goods transport within Polish territory, requires carriers to register their shipments before entering Poland and maintain live GPS tracking throughout their journey. Upon registration, companies receive a reference number valid for 10 days.

Under the new regulations, carriers from EU and EFTA member states will need to register when conducting road transport operations to or from non-EU countries through Polish territory, specifically when such transport requires permits under international agreements between Poland and the destination country.

The system mandates continuous vehicle location tracking through various approved methods. Carriers can choose between the e-TOLL mobile application, available on both App Store and Google Play, an On-Board Unit (OBU) obtainable from e-TOLL service points, or external tracking systems (ZSL) that are compatible with the Polish e-TOLL system.

The registration requirement applies to various transport categories, including operations conducted under cross-border freight permits, ECMT multilateral permits, liberalised transport arrangements based on bilateral agreements with Poland, and cabotage operations authorised by the Polish Main Inspectorate of Road Transport.

This expansion represents a significant development in Poland’s freight monitoring capabilities and aligns with broader efforts to enhance oversight of goods movement through Polish territory. Transport companies operating in Poland are advised to ensure their compliance with these new requirements before the January 2025 deadline.

MONT BLANC TUNNEL TOTAL CLOSURE
from MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2024

Dear Customer,

From the beginning of September to mid-December 2024 – more than 60 years after the construction of this exceptional infrastructure – the Mont Blanc Tunnel will be going on with the complete reconstruction of two portions of the tunnel vault of 300 metres each, making it one of the first major European tunnels to undertake deep renovation work on its structure.

This project will require one total closure of the tunnel for a duration of 15 consecutive weeks
from 5 p.m. on Monday 2, September 2024
to 5 p.m. on Monday 16, December 2024

From April to June, and from the beginning of September to mid-December 2024, the Mont Blanc Tunnel is going on with two major projects: the road deck’s renovation works and the complete reconstruction of two portions of the tunnel vault of 300 metres each. These activities require:- 12 midweek night closures lasting 10 hours and 30 minutes each (from 7.30 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.);- 20 midweek night closures lasting 12 hours and 30 minutes each (from 7.00 p.m. to 7.30 a.m.);- 1 extended closure of 30 hours and 30 minutes, starting at 11.30 p.m. on 19 June 2024;- 1 TOTAL CLOSURE OF 15 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, from Monday 2 Sept. at 5 p.m. to Monday 16 Dec. 2024 at 5 p.m.