Legislative project: Regulatory measures to improve operating conditions for transport sector
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched a legislative project to improve the operating conditions for the transport sector. The aim of the project is to further specify the EU regulation concerning road cabotage and make the regulations easier to comply with and supervise. In addition, the project promotes the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels with a total mass not exceeding 4,250 kg in goods transport.
In spring 2025, the Ministry carried out an extensive assessment of regulatory measures affecting the transport sector that could improve the operating conditions of the sector.
“The more goods we have moving on the roads and the safer and smoother this is, the better it will be for Finland. Cooperation with the transport sector has been excellent. This spring we organised a roundtable discussion on regulatory measures that would benefit the sector. I am very happy to say that our proposals received almost unconditional support from the stakeholders. Finland runs on roads: 90% of the tonnage and modes of transport move on roads, which means that improving the operating conditions of the road transport sector is in the interest of us all,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.
Project would amend regulation on cabotage and on driving licence categories
The purpose of the legislative project is to amend the regulation concerning road cabotage operations in the Act on Transport Services and, possibly, the related penalty system. Cabotage means transport operations in an EU Member State by a vehicle owned by an undertaking established in another Member State. The aim is to specify the national regulation in such a way that compliance with the regulations is clear and supervision is effective.
In addition, the provisions on driving licence categories in the Driving Licence Act would be amended with regard to heavier vehicles powered by alternative fuels, such as light lorries. With this amendment, a driving licence for a passenger car would entitle to drive a vehicle weighing at most 4,250 kg, provided that the vehicle is powered by an alternative fuel and a category B driving licence has been issued at least two years ago. The maximum mass of cars and vans driven with a category B driving licence powered by an internal combustion engine will be the same as before, 3,500 kg.
To implement the exemptions concerning driving times and rest periods applicable to goods transport vehicles powered by alternative fuels with a total mass not exceeding 3,500 kg, the Government Decree on the issue of tachograph cards and exemptions concerning the use of tachographs would also be amended.
What’s next?
Preparation of the amendments will begin at the Ministry of Transport and Communications. During this process, the Ministry will consult with the relevant stakeholders and the proposals will also be circulated for comments.
The project runs until June 2026. The entry into force of the amendments will depend on the date of adoption of the new Driving Licence Directive.
Inquiries:
Veli-Matti Syrjänen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 124, veli-matti.syrjanen@gov.fi
Saara Louko, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 048, saara.louko@gov.fi (regulation on driving licences)