Truck driving has evolved from an experiential craft to a documented profession governed by European regulations and standards. Here we follow the traces that can be documented: EU's harmonization of driving license categories, driving and rest time rules, the digital tachograph, the load securing standard EN 12195-1, Driver CPC training (code 95) and the Danish dimension regulation.
Introduction
The truck field is one of the crafts where the work itself and its regulatory basis have evolved closely together. Today a driver operates under European regulations, standards and a documented education — but the core of the field has always been the same: to get a heavy load safely forward. This article sticks to the part of the story that can be documented in legislation, standards and the field's own regulatory basis.
A craft of experience becomes a craft of rules
Road goods transport is older than the rules that govern it today. For a long time, driving was largely based on experience and training from driver to driver. What really shaped the profession in modern times is not a new vehicle, but the requirement to be able to document — that weight, rest time, load securing and qualifications can be verified, not just estimated.
EU harmonizes the driving license
An important part of the trade's development is that driving license categories became common across the EU. Today categories C1, C, C1/E and C/E are defined equally in member states with common prerequisites and age requirements. This means a truck license taken in Denmark is valid throughout the EU and the same weight limits for the categories apply across borders.
- 01C1 — small truck up to 7,500 kg permitted total weight.
- 02C — large truck over 3,500 kg with no upper weight limit.
- 03C1/E and C/E — the same vehicles with large trailer (over 750 kg).
Køre- og hviletid (EU 561/2006)
One of the most noticeable rule sets for the trade is EU Regulation 561/2006 on driving and rest time which applies to vehicles over 3500 kg. It sets specific limits: a break of at least 45 minutes after at most 4½ hours of driving a daily driving time of maximum 9 hours (up to 10 hours twice a week) and fixed requirements for daily and weekly rest. The purpose is traffic safety and working environment — to prevent drivers from driving when tired.
From speedometer to digital tachograph
The tachograph — the digital tachograph with personal driver card became mandatory in new vehicles over 3.500 kg for goods transport from 1 May 2006 and later came the smart tachograph that communicates digitally with authorities at roadside checks. It made reading and understanding the tachograph a fixed part of professional competency. With hours-of-service regulations came the need to monitor compliance. The tachograph records driving time rest time breaks speed and distance and is the technical proof that regulations are observed.
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