The aim of the European Union’s land transport policy is to promote a mobility that is efficient, safe, secure and environmentally friendly.
The EU policy objectives for road transport are therefore to promote efficient road freight and passengers transport services, to create fair conditions for competition, to promote and harmonise safer and more environmentally friendly technical standards, to ensure a degree of fiscal and social harmonisation, and to guarantee that road transport rules are applied effectively and without discrimination.
The existing legislation applying to road transport services establishes common rules on access to the profession and to the market, sets minimal standards for working time, driving time and rest periods (including enforcement and the use of tachograph) for professional road transport, and sets minimum annual vehicle taxes, as well as common rules for tolls and user charges for heavy goods vehicles. Moreover, it harmonises the maximum weights and dimensions of road vehicles. The Commission also promotes more and safer parking areas along the trans-European road network.