News item | 18-12-2024 | 13:30
Drivers of vehicles with a sustainable drive will follow a road safety course in the future. Agreements have also been made about registering their working hours, to prevent them from spending too long behind the wheel.
This takes the next step to legally regulate that drivers of sustainable vehicles over 3,500 kg are exempt from the truck driving license and that drivers of electric vehicles over 3,500 kg are exempt from the tachograph. The agreement was concluded today by signing the ‘Agreement on Road Safety Guarantees’. Signatories were Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management), ANWB, Bouwend Nederland, BOVAG, evofenedex, FAM Opleidingen, RAI Association, Technology Netherlands, Transport & Logistics Netherlands and Traffic Safety Group Netherlands.
Minister Madlener: “This agreement is good for road safety and the sustainability of road transport. And it also helps the sector. You see that they like to travel with sustainably powered transport. As a result, their commercial vehicles are heavier than is currently permitted for a B driving license. From July 1, 2025, we want to legally establish that the same rules apply to drivers of these vehicles as to drivers of diesel vans. This involves certain road safety issues, and this agreement must guarantee that safety.”
Road safety course
A truck driving license (C or C1) is required to drive vehicles that may weigh more than 3,500 kg including their load. The ministry is working on legislation to make it possible as of July 1, 2025, that sustainable vehicles up to 4,250 kg can be driven with a ‘normal’ car license (B). Electric vehicles are heavier than fossil vehicles of comparable size due to their battery weight.
It is important that these drivers are familiar with the risks of a heavier vehicle (such as a longer braking distance) and with the truck traffic rules. That is why agreements have been made today about a road safety course. The course consists of theory and practical education, and teaches participants how to safely handle their heavier vehicle before and while driving. The agreement also includes agreements about who must take the course and who must provide the offer.
Tachograph exemption
In addition, agreements have been made about what the sector will do when the tachograph exemption comes into effect. This exemption will apply to electric commercial vehicles with a maximum permitted mass of 3,501 kg to 4,250 kg, within a radius of 100 kilometers from the business address.
Because it is important that drivers take sufficient rest on the road, it is agreed in the agreement that working hours will be recorded digitally, not susceptible to fraud and verifiable in the vehicle during the journey. The operation of this tachograph exemption will be evaluated after one year. If this exemption has negative effects on road safety and/or the working conditions of drivers, this may lead to the termination of the tachograph exemption.
Toleration situation
A toleration situation currently applies, which already ensures that the current group of drivers are allowed to drive their electric commercial vehicles weighing between 3500 and 4250 kg with a B driving license and which exempts them from the use of the tachograph.
This tolerance situation will remain in force until July 1, 2025. The agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2025 for drivers of these vehicles. The intention is to legally regulate the exemption as of July 1, 2025. Even then, the agreement remains in full force.