Today, the European Parliament marked a milestone by updating EU rules on driving and rest times for bus and coach drivers. These new regulations were supported by 482 votes, seeking to meet the specific needs of the discretionary transportation sector. The aim is to provide greater flexibility in breaks and rest periods, recognising the particularities of this sector, such as high seasonality and the need to adapt to unforeseen events.

Among the main changes, it is worth highlighting the option for occasional bus drivers to divide their mandatory rest into two periods of at least 15 minutes each, always respecting the minimum total required rest time of 45 minutes during or at the end of four and a half hours of driving. In addition, drivers who make journeys of at least 6 days will be able to postpone their daily rest period by one hour, as long as they do not exceed 7 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 digitalised in the future for greater efficiency in roadside checks. EP rapporteur Henna Virkkunen stressed that these updates provide much-needed flexibility to meet the changing circumstances of occasional tourist travel, while ensuring the safety of all those involved in transport.