8 Jan
In 2025, the European road transport sector recorded meaningful advances thanks to coordinated action between industry players, policymakers and IRU. The year delivered practical outcomes that directly support transport operators, businesses and workers across the EU, combining regulatory reforms, institutional dialogue and a strong focus on real-world conditions.
One of the most impactful developments was the overhaul of EU driving licence rules. New regulations lowered age barriers for professional drivers, allowing younger entrants to drive trucks and buses under defined conditions, while introducing accompanied driving from age 17 and a fully digital EU-wide licence. Alongside this, a long-stalled agreement on vehicle weights and dimensions finally moved forward, improving cross-border operations, supporting intermodal transport, enabling zero-emission vehicles without payload penalties, and introducing safeguards for supply chains during crises.
Progress was also made on decarbonisation. IRU successfully pushed for a more realistic approach to fleet greening, limiting EU proposals to light vehicles and excluding heavy-duty fleets. Through high-level events, parliamentary debates and major industry exhibitions, IRU ensured that sustainability discussions reflected operational realities, infrastructure readiness and investment needs, while reinforcing technology-neutral solutions as EU transport policy moves toward 2026.
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Source: Source: iru.org
