What infringements can lead to
- Fines against drivers and/or the company
- Immobilisation of the vehicle, particularly at border crossings
- In repeated or serious cases: withdrawal of transport authorisations
The level of fines for infringements of the tachograph obligation or of driving and rest time rules is set in the respective national law and differs considerably between EU member states — both in amount and in structure. Reliable information is provided by the relevant national fine catalogue or your competent chamber.
A look at individual countries illustrates the range:
- Germany
- : driving without a driver card — up to €250 per 24-hour period. Exceeding the daily driving time (the 9-hour limit by more than 2 hours) — up to €150 for negligence, up to €300 for intent.
- France
- : driving and rest time infringements graded by severity — up to €450, €750 or €1,500 (the same excess as in the German example already costs up to €1,500 in France). For particularly serious or intentional infringements (e.g. manipulation of the records), up to €30,000 (a custodial sentence is also possible).
- Belgium
- : infringements of driving and rest times — up to €10,000 (in addition to, or instead of, a custodial sentence of 8 days to 6 months). Exceeding the daily driving time — up to €1,600.
- Spain
- : for serious infringements, custodial sentences are provided for alongside fines.
Cross-border transport and cabotage
Particularly in cross-border transport and on cabotage journeys (domestic goods transport by a foreign company with no seat or establishment in the country concerned), increased inspections are to be expected, especially in the first months after the new rules for the vehicle class above 2.5 and up to 3.5 tonnes were introduced. Experience shows that authorities focus their attention particularly on newly regulated vehicle groups.
How to protect yourself
The most effective protection: correctly equipped vehicles, trained drivers and carefully documented exemptions. The concrete steps are set out in our urgent action plan in the implementation and technology section.
Back to the overview: consequences and fines.