As a truck driver, you often travel long distances across Europe. You transport a load from the Netherlands to France, unload it, and then what? Naturally, you’d rather not drive back with an empty trailer. Cabotage is one way to make this more efficient. But be aware: you can’t simply make unlimited trips in another country. In this article, we explain exactly how the rules, legislation and exceptions work.
What is cabotage?
Cabotage is a term you’ve probably heard mentioned at a truck stop. Essentially, it simply means transporting goods between two points within the borders of a single country by a carrier that is not based there.
Suppose you work for a Dutch transport company and have just unloaded a shipment in Germany. If you then pick up a load in Hamburg and deliver it to Munich, you are carrying out a cabotage journey. Because this has a direct impact on the local market in Germany, strict European rules have been introduced. This prevents the market from being flooded by foreign companies and ensures fair competition.
How does cabotage transport work?
Cabotage is essentially intended as a way to limit the number of ‘empty kilometres’. It is therefore not a licence to carry out domestic journeys abroad on a permanent basis. To carry out cabotage, you must meet a few basic requirements:
- Your vehicle must have a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of more than 2.5 tonnes.
- You must hold a valid Community licence (the well-known Euro licence).
- All journeys must be documented with consignment notes (CMRs), which must state exactly where and when you loaded and unloaded.
What are the 2 options?
European legislation distinguishes between two ways of carrying out cabotage. This depends on how you enter the country:
- After an international journey carrying cargo: This is the most common form. You enter a country with an international load. After unloading it completely, you may carry out a maximum of 3 cabotage journeys in that country within a 7-day period.
- After entering a member state without a load: If you enter a member state empty, the rules are stricter. You may then carry out only 1 cabotage journey in that country. This journey must also be completed within 3 days of entering the country.
Cabotage legislation
The rules for cabotage are laid down in European regulations (such as Regulation 1072/2009). The aim is to strike a balance between an open European market and protecting drivers and local businesses. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) strictly enforces these rules. If your paperwork isn’t in order or you make too many trips, you risk hefty fines that could cost your employer a pretty penny.
Cooling-off period
Since the introduction of the Mobility Package, an important new rule has been added: the so-called ‘cooling-off’ period. This rule is intended to prevent drivers from carrying out cabotage runs indefinitely by repeatedly crossing the border for a short time.
The rule is simple: after completing your last cabotage trip in a country, you cannot make any new cabotage trips in that same country with the same vehicle for 4 days. This 4-day rest period starts at 00:00 on the day after you complete your last cabotage trip. This ensures that cabotage really does remain temporary.
Benelux cabotage rules
Do you travel frequently between the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg? Then you’re in luck! Carriers based in the Benelux are subject to more flexible rules within these three countries. Thanks to the Benelux Treaty, the free movement of goods transport is permitted.
This means that, as a Dutch driver, you can make unlimited domestic trips in Belgium or Luxembourg. So you don’t first have to unload an international cargo, and there is no cooling-off period within the Benelux either.
Please note: this only applies to carriers that are actually established in one of these three countries.
