Although several years have passed since the introduction of the Mobility Package, cabotage remains a source of uncertainty and questions among hauliers. While the rules are clearly defined in EU legislation, their practical application is often complex – and mistakes can be costly, both financially and in terms of reputation. At the same time, lawful cabotage is not only about compliance. It can also be a tool to increase operational efficiency and fleet profitability.
Cabotage refers to domestic road haulage carried out by a carrier that does not have a registered office in the country where the transport is performed.
EU rules
- Cabotage is only permitted after the completion of an international transport with full unloading.
- The maximum number of cabotage operations is three within seven days following the end of the international transport.
- All operations must be documented (CMR consignment note, transport orders, etc.) and apply to the vehicle, not the individual driver.
- It is prohibited to enter a foreign country empty for the sole purpose of performing cabotage.
“The law is structured to increase transport efficiency by avoiding so-called empty runs, while at the same time protecting the local market from unfair competition,” explains Mateusz Włoch, Training and Development Expert at Inelo, part of Eurowag Group.
Cooling-off period The Mobility Package also introduced a new requirement: the so-called “cooling-off” period. After performing cabotage in a given country, the same vehicle cannot carry out further cabotage in that country for the next four days.
Key points:
- The rule applies to four full calendar days.
- The break must cover at least two working days.
- Weekends and public holidays may extend the break to as much as seven days.
Miscalculating this period can result in an illegal operation, even if unintentional. Accurate record-keeping and planning are therefore crucial.
“Such a seemingly innocent mistake can cost a company a lot of money,” adds Włoch.
