England, Netherlands and Belgium suspend from March 23rd, for the duration of COVID-19 epidemic, all restrictions for heavy goods transport in the low emission zones. Normally, driving in there by vehicle with mpv above 3,5 t, which does not meet standards of the EURO 4 norm for diesel motors could be fined up to 95€ in Netherlands, 350€ in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent and 1000£ (1300€) in London.

Moreover, all the European Union countries have already relaxed, currently for one month time period, some regulations relating to the driving hours for HGV. Comparing to the regulation 561/2006 normally in force, the maximum driving time has been lengthened up from 10 to 11 hours a day. The driving time each week also increased up to 60 h and during two consecutive weeks up to 96 h. Taking breaks and rest rules have been changed, as well. For instance, it is permitted to start the first break of 45 minutes after 5 hours and 30 minutes of driving. Belgium has gone even further and allows drivers to take the regular weekly rest 6 days later than it would occur under normal circumstances and then to spend it all in their truck cabin, instead of at a hotel.

While in most countries, because of the heavy traffic congestion at the borders, increasing the driving time for HGV concerns all types of transported goods, in Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Croatia, it is only narrowed down to the transport of food products, medicines and petrol. What’s more, all the German lands have stopped road controls in respect of cabotage rules during the transport of these strategic goods, as well as checking an administrative permission to haul them. Besides that, France, just as Germany, Czech Republic and Austria, have suspended the traffic bans for HGV on Sundays and public holidays. The Great Britain seriously considers, in exceptional cases, allowing temporarily to transport goods between their country and the continent for hauliers without EU license.