Government Decree on the Enforcement of Social Legislation on Road Transport to be specified

On 21 September 2023, the Government adopted a proposal for a decree amending certain decrees on the enforcement of social welfare legislation on road transport and on the division of labour between the authorities. The decrees will be updated to meet the requirements of the relevant EU Directive.   

It was added to the decree that road transport drivers may, during a roadside inspection, contact the head office, the person responsible for transport or some other party in order to provide evidence missing from the vehicle before the end of the roadside inspection. This provision ensures that the driver's rights are realised during a roadside inspection. 

According to the decree, inspections carried out in companies need to be planned based on the previous experience of the types of transport and companies. Inspections of companies must also be carried out if serious violations of the EU Regulations on driving times and rest periods or on recording equipment in road transport, or the Finnish Working Time Act have been observed during roadside inspections. 

The scope of application of the amended decree will include the organisation of working hours of persons performing mobile road transport tasks.

The amendments to the decree have no practical effects, as the enforcement authorities have already included these additions in their operating practices.

The draft decree and the related explanatory memorandum were circulated for comments on lausuntopalvelu.fi between 16 and 30 August 2023.

Next steps

The amended decree is scheduled to enter into force on 25 September 2023.

Inquiries

Veli-Matti Syrjänen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 124, veli-matti.syrjanen(at)gov.fi