RHA call for commonality when it comes to fines

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is calling for European-wide commonality when it comes to fines for truck driving offences.

Head of international affairs Peter Callum says: "At the moment, the differences from one country to another are vast."

He gives the example of missing or irregular drivers' hours records. In Belgium, this offence can result in fines ranging from €50 (£40) to €10,000 (£8,800), and/or between eight days and six months in prison.

The same offence in Germany means a fine for the driver between €163 (£145) and €213 (£187), and a fine for the carrier ranging from €315 (£277) to €1,575 (£1,386).

Fines relating to ADR permits are equally as varied, with the UK penalty being anywhere between €1,450 (£1,276) and €21,750 (£19,140). In Spain, the maximum fine is just €3,300 (£2,904).

Irregularities to vehicle registration certificates are treated very differently too. The driver will pay a maximum of €50 (£40) in Germany, up to €750 (£660) in France, as much as €3,625 (£3,189) in the UK and between €10 (£8) and €10,000 (£8,800) in Belgium.

"At the moment, drivers don't know where they stand," says Callum.