Anyone involved in international transport in Europe will sooner or later have to deal with the Mobility Package. This European mobility package consists of a series of rules designed to make the transport sector fairer, safer and more transparent.
The rules affect, among other things:
- Driving and rest times
- Cabotage
- Tachographs
- Drivers’ working conditions
The Mobility Package was introduced in stages between 2020 and 2024 and has since become an important part of European transport legislation.
Why does the Mobility Package exist?
Thousands of transport companies operate internationally within the European Union. Without clear rules, an uneven playing field can quickly emerge. Some companies pay lower wages or establish themselves in countries with less stringent checks. The Mobility Package is intended to prevent this.
The European Commission has three main objectives:
Fair competition
Transport companies must operate under comparable conditions. This prevents companies from different EU countries competing on employment conditions rather than quality.
Improved working conditions for drivers
Drivers are not allowed to live in their cabs for weeks on end without sufficient rest or the opportunity to go home.
Better monitoring and enforcement
New technology makes it easier for inspection services to check compliance with transport rules.
The main rules of the Mobility Package
The Mobility Package consists of several laws and directives. In practice, transport companies mainly have to deal with the following rules.
Drivers must return home regularly
International drivers must be able to return to their place of residence or the company’s operating base at least once every four weeks. The employer must organise and plan this. This prevents drivers from working abroad for long periods without sufficient rest or contact with their families.
Weekend rest no longer in the cab
The regular 45-hour weekly rest period may no longer be spent in the truck’s cab. Transport companies must provide suitable accommodation, such as a hotel or another place to sleep. The employer is responsible for these costs. This measure is intended to improve drivers’ living conditions.
New cabotage rules
Cabotage means that a foreign carrier transports goods within another EU country.
The Mobility Package sets clear limits:
- A maximum of 3 cabotage operations within 7 days
- This is followed by a 4-day cooling-off period
During this period, the same vehicle may not carry out any new cabotage operations in that country. These rules are intended to prevent foreign transport companies from operating regularly in another country without being established there.
Smart tachograph mandatory
An important part of the Mobility Package is the introduction of the second-generation smart tachograph, also known as Smart Tacho 2. Operating it correctly and understanding its data recording are now crucial to passing your truck theory test.
The new tachograph automatically records:
- Border crossings
- Loading and unloading times
- Driving and rest times
This enables inspection services to better check whether transport companies are complying with European rules.
Also read our article about Smart Tacho 2 and what it means for transport companies.
Mobility Package 2025 and 2026
The Mobility Package is still being rolled out. The following deadlines are particularly important for transport companies:
- Mandatory use of Smart Tacho 2 for international transport
- Extension of tachograph rules to vehicles weighing 2.5 tonnes or more in international transport
- Stricter digital checks on cabotage and rest periods
In addition, transport companies in the Netherlands will also have to deal with new national measures, such as the truck toll, which will be introduced from 2026.
What does the Mobility Package mean for transport companies?
The Mobility Package has a major impact on day-to-day operations in the transport sector.
Transport companies need to take the following into account:
- Additional administration
- Stricter checks
- Higher costs for drivers’ accommodation
- Adjusted route planning
Many of these European rules are also incorporated into national legislation. In the Netherlands, for example, this is done through the Goods Road Transport Act (WWG).
