EEC backtracks on owner-driver regs
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THE EEC is backtracking on its proposal to exempt self-employed drivers of commercial vehicles from the proposed regulation governing hours of driving and rest.
The change follows the opinion expressed by the European Parliament that difficulty of enforcement was not sufficient reason for their exclusion.
The view now is that although enforcement difficulties remain, a limitation of the exemption will lessen the inducement to drivers to be self-employed to avoid the effects of the regulation.
The exemption of selfemployed drivers from annual holiday requirements will remain outside the scope of the regulation. The Government is considering with the road transport industry the implications of the proposed regulation. If adopted, the proposal, and the amendment to it, Would affect Part VI of the Transport Act 1968 and regulations made under it, and would require UK legislation.
The proposed regulation is to be re-examined by a working group of officials and early consideration by the Council seems unlikely.