Commission calls on the NETHERLANDS to transpose EU rules on hired vehicles
The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to the Netherlands (INFR(2023)2163) requesting that it transposes the Directive (EU) 2022/738 on the use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road into its national legislation. Member States were required to transpose the Directive by 6 August 2023. The Commission considers that the Netherlands failed to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Directive, and to indicate in a sufficiently clear and precise manner the measures taken by which it considers having transposed the different obligations imposed by the Directive. The Directive provides for a minimum level of market opening for the use of vehicles hired without drivers for transporting goods by road. Using hired vehicles can reduce costs for companies carrying goods on their own account or for hire or reward, and increase operational flexibility. The Netherlands has two months to reply and address the shortcomings identified by the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the European Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.