EU Extends Driving, Rest Rules to Light Commercial Vehicles

The new EU rules will extend key social legislation in road transport to light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The rules of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 applied until now applied only to heavier vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes. Now also smaller LCVs with a maximum permissible mass above 2.5 tonnes are covered. The extension of rules concerns only drivers engaged in international transport or cabotage. Transport with LCVs inside an EU country are not concerned. For the first time, LCV operators and drivers will need to comply with EU social legislation on road transport, including rules on: The rules apply to both EU and non-EU drivers employed by EU transport companies performing international transport operations, strengthening consistency across the sector. After several decades focused exclusively on heavy goods vehicles, the reform brings a fast-growing segment of the market under the same framework, strengthening road safety, fair competition, and working conditions for drivers across Europe. Widely seen as a milestone for enforcement and level playing field in the single market, the move responds to the rapid expansion of van-based transport and closes a long-standing regulatory gap. The session is aimed at light commercial vehicle drivers and operators engaged in international transport of goods or cabotage , as well as other interested stakeholders. It is part of a broader series of ELA activities supporting the implementation of Mobility Package I. The session will be livestreamed and later made available on ELA’s YouTube channel in multiple languages. Follow the livestream here . The session will cover: It is specifically designed to help all concerned to prepare for the changes and apply the new requirements in practice. From 1 July 2026, the changes will apply to light commercial vehicles with a maximum permissible mass greater than 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes used in international freight transport or cabotage. Key updates include: Light commercial vehicle campaign webpage Download LCV Leaflet