Today, the European Parliament marked a milestone by updating EU rules on driving and rest times for bus and coach drivers. These new regulations, supported by 482 votes, aim to meet the specific needs of the charter transport sector. They seek to provide greater flexibility in breaks and rest periods, recognizing the sector's unique characteristics, such as high seasonality and the need to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

Among the main changes, the option for occasional bus drivers to split their mandatory rest period into two breaks of at least 15 minutes each stands out, always respecting the minimum total rest time required of 45 minutes during or at the end of four and a half hours of driving. In addition, drivers who work routes of at least six days can postpone their daily rest period by one hour, provided they do not exceed seven hours of driving per day. These measures aim to improve drivers' working conditions without compromising road safety.

To facilitate the implementation of these new provisions, coach drivers will be required to carry completed travel forms showing the journey itinerary. However, this process is expected to be digitized in the future for greater efficiency in roadside checks. The European Parliament's rapporteur, Henna Virkkunen, stressed that these updates provide much-needed flexibility to meet the evolving circumstances of occasional tourist travel, while ensuring the safety of everyone involved in transport.