DRT Workshop and Expert Group Meeting Boost Cooperation

On 22–23 July 2025, the Euro Contrôle Route European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (ECR EGTC) hosted a two-day series of events dedicated to enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange among transport enforcement authorities. The programme included a hands-on Driving and Resting Times (DRT) Workshop on 22 July, followed by a strategic DRT Expert Group Meeting on 23 July, both held in the ECR EGTC Headquarters in Rijswijk, the Netherlands.

These events brought together representatives from France, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Portugal, underlining the broad and growing commitment to shared enforcement goals across Europe.

Peer Learning at the DRT Workshop – 22 July

The DRT Workshop was a peer-driven event aimed at fostering open dialogue and practical learning. Built around real enforcement challenges and solutions, the workshop encouraged participants to share experiences and strengthen cross-border understanding.

Key topics included:

• Posting rules on drivers, presented by the Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD, Poland) and the Dutch Labour Inspectorate
• An overview of the TRACE Project and its findings on DRT, presented by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT, Netherlands)
• A presentation on the use of DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communications) in roadside enforcement
• Examples of cross-border operational cooperation from the Dutch National Police

These sessions offered a clear picture of the evolving enforcement landscape and highlighted the importance of coordinated action at the EU level. Authorities exchanged practical approaches to dealing with complex legal frameworks, mobile workforces, and the increasing need for digital solutions.

Expert Group Meeting – 23 July

The following day, the DRT Expert Group gathered for a dedicated meeting to discuss strategic goals and plan upcoming activities.

The agenda focused on:

• Goals for 2026, including deeper cooperation, more frequent exchanges, and joint live inspections
• A comprehensive session on Digital Inspections in the Netherlands, led by Renée Bosch (ILT)
• Initial planning for the next Expert Group meeting

A key highlight was ILT’s explanation of its data-driven inspection model. By categorising transport operators before inspections, ILT can prioritise resources more effectively and focus on areas with higher non-compliance risk. As explained during the session, this targeted approach allows authorities to “fish where the fish swims”.

Authorities from across Member States expressed strong interest in ILT’s method and its potential applicability in other national contexts. The discussion underscored the value of digital tools in improving efficiency and impact across enforcement activities.

A Shared Commitment to Smarter Enforcement

Both the workshop and the Expert Group meeting showcased the ongoing commitment of European enforcement bodies to work together, share ideas, and build more harmonised enforcement practices across borders.

With bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral exchanges planned for the second half of the year, the DRT Expert Group and ECR EGTC are set to continue supporting meaningful peer-to-peer learning and smarter, data-informed enforcement across Europe.

These events reflect the growing importance of collaboration in tackling complex mobility and labour issues in the transport sector, and the shared belief that learning from each other makes enforcement stronger, more consistent, and more effective.

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