Until the end of February, fines for infringements of specific regulations concerning, among other things, cabotage in road haulage, were imposed through procedures. From 1 March, however, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration can impose fines on drivers and hauliers for certain offences during roadside checks.
Since the beginning of this month, inspectors from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have imposed fines totalling around NOK 757,000 (approx. EUR 65,887.15). Taking into account the maximum fine of NOK 60,000 (approx. EUR 5,222.37) for the haulier and NOK 6,000 (approx. EUR 522.31) for the driver, it is estimated that between a dozen and several dozen companies have been fined.
The first fine was imposed by inspectors on a Belarusian driver of a Lithuanian lorry at a checkpoint on the E6 just before entering Oslo. The transport company the driver works for was fined 60,000 Norwegian kroner (about 5,222.37 euros) for not having a valid Community driving licence in the vehicle. The driver himself was also fined 6,000 Norwegian kroner (approx. 5,222.37 euro). The vehicle was immobilised until the fine was paid. This is the maximum fine the inspectors can impose during an inspection.
Another important change that came into effect on 1 March is the ability for inspectors to place a wheel lock on a vehicle.
“Now a wheel clamp can be fitted to ensure payment. Before we introduced the ban, when we came back from the service, it was often the case that the vehicle was gone the next day and we did not know whether the fee had been paid or not,” says inspector Andre Johannessen, as quoted by the Norwegian portal at.no.
The inspector points out that hauliers have the right to appeal against the fine within three weeks if the company has documents that were missing during the inspection.
Another case reported in the Norwegian media involved a Uzbek driver driving a lorry for a German company. In this case, only the haulier was fined and had to pay a fine of 60,000 Norwegian kroner to allow the driver to continue his route.
New powers
As a reminder, since the beginning of this month, inspectors from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have been able to issue fines during inspections for violations of several specific cabotage regulations in freight transport, for not having a driving licence and for not having a driving licence during transport.
Despite the new powers of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, administrative proceedings will continue to be initiated in cases of serious infringements.
For a list of violations of the cabotage rules for which the Norwegian Public Roads Administration can penalise drivers and companies during roadside checks from March, see our previous article.