Two Unauthorized Truck Drivers Teaming Up: Instance where a Prohibited Driver Hitches Ride with Another, lead to Police Intervention - Police Stop Vehicles with Serious Defects
Highway Police Crackdown on Illegal Employment of Third-Country Drivers
In a significant move aimed at curbing illegal employment, the highway police conducted an inspection on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 11:30 AM, stopping a Bulgarian truck on the A40.
The truck, registered in the EU, was found to have several defects, including no braking effect on the rear axle, a steering issue, and air suspension bellows about to burst. The tractor unit also had makeshift repairs, indicating severe traffic safety hazards.
The driver of the truck was a 55-year-old Macedonian who, upon inspection, was found to lack a valid driver's license, in violation of EU regulations. The condition of the tractor unit and the driver's lack of a professional driver's qualification presented clear traffic safety hazards.
Three hours later, another truck was stopped, this time with only minor defects. The driver, a 58-year-old Macedonian, mirrored his colleague's infractions, lacking both a valid driver's license and a professional driver's qualification.
According to EU regulations, drivers from third countries wishing to drive trucks registered in the EU must hold a valid EU driving license or an accepted equivalent, along with the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), commonly referred to as Code 95. The CPC is mandatory for all professional truck drivers within the EU.
The Macedonian drivers' failure to comply with these key legal requirements highlights the importance of adhering to these regulations. The truck was temporarily secured with a lashing strap, and both drivers were prohibited from continuing their journeys.
The traffic unit wrote up several reports and administrative offenses, and the companies were asked to send replacement drivers and trucks for the trailers. The incident serves as a reminder to third-country drivers to ensure their driving licenses are valid and recognized under EU rules or exchanged properly, and that they hold the CPC (Code 95 certification) to legally drive trucks registered in the EU professionally.
[1] EU Regulations on Driving Licenses for Third-Country Nationals [2] EU Regulations on the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) [3] Training and Certification for Third-Country Drivers in the EU [4] Employer Requirements for Third-Country Drivers in the EU [5] Age Requirements for Professional Drivers in the EU
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