In mid-April, the European Commission published the results of a study on safe and secure parking areas (SSPAs), available on the official EC website. The report reveals that the European Union is facing a severe shortage of safe and certified parking spaces for truck drivers. Currently, this shortfall stands at around 390,000 spaces and, according to estimates, could rise to 483,000 by 2040.
Although many parking facilities in the EU have implemented basic security measures, a significant number still fail to meet EU safety standards and lack appropriate certification. Such certification is essential – it ensures compliance with EU standards and guarantees an adequate level of protection for drivers and their vehicles. The situation is particularly acute in countries such as Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain, which lie along major transport corridors and are particularly exposed to crime targeting road transport.
Brussels, together with organisations such as IRU, DEKRA, ESPORG, Panteia, CERTH/HIT and CBRA, has developed standards for secure truck parking areas. These standards classify facilities into four security levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. This enables carriers to select the appropriate level of security depending on the type and value of the cargo being transported.
The standards assess aspects such as:
- perimeter security (e.g. fences),
- the parking area itself,
- entry and exit points,
- and internal and organisational procedures.
For instance, a Bronze-certified car park may only be partially monitored, whereas a Platinum-level facility offers 24-hour surveillance by on-site staff and uses additional technology such as number plate recognition systems at entry and exit points.
Regardless of the security level, parking facilities must also offer essential amenities for drivers, such as toilets, showers, access to food and beverages, and internet connectivity.
To address the infrastructure deficit, the EC recommends strategic investment, including the rapid modernisation and certification of existing sites that meet the requirements but have not yet been certified.
“This is the fastest and most cost-effective way to expand the network of certified SSPA parking areas across the EU. At the same time, the report emphasises that infrastructure development must go hand in hand with improved connectivity and digitalisation, which make parking areas more accessible and appealing. The Commission has allocated significant financial resources for the construction or modernisation of around 65 parking areas under the Connecting Europe Facility programme,” reads the EC press release.
The report’s authors forecast that by 2040, a fully functional, safe and sustainable parking network will be established across the European Union.
“Professional drivers are the backbone of European road transport – keeping industry moving, supermarket shelves stocked, and citizens mobile. They deserve decent rest conditions. This study provides a concrete roadmap, and we now need to work together to implement it,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
Not enough hotels for drivers
The European Commission report also assesses the availability of accommodation near secure parking areas, evaluating the proximity, standard, capacity and prices of nearby hotels and motels.
The findings show that many secure parking areas lack adequate nearby accommodation. While hotels may exist further afield, truck drivers are often unable to use them due to the lack of alternative transport options. The study assumed a 3 km distance as the maximum a driver could walk, but in practice, few drivers are likely to have the time to walk that distance to a hotel.
“Many hotels located near SSPAs mainly serve tourists and business travellers. While they offer high standards and convenient locations, their business model – catering to guests staying longer and paying more – does not meet the needs of truck drivers. High prices are a barrier for drivers, and service flexibility is limited,” the report states.
An additional challenge is the irregular working hours of drivers, which often do not align with hotel operations. There are also issues related to access to meals, parking and a quiet environment. According to the report, improvements could be made through measures such as dynamic pricing during off-peak periods, service offers tailored to the needs of drivers, and collaboration between hotels and parking areas.
“During peak periods, it is unlikely that hotels will accommodate truck drivers, as they prioritise higher-paying guests with longer stays. However, during periods of lower demand, drivers could represent a welcome addition to the clientele. Nevertheless, this is not a permanent or foolproof solution,” the report concludes.
Will there be a change to the Mobility Package?
Due to limited investment by both the private sector and public authorities in dedicated accommodation infrastructure, the European Commission is calling for a debate on the future role of SSPAs.
“SSPAs already offer basic services and a high level of safety, and also serve as spaces for driver rest and social interaction. Allowing regular weekly rest in vehicle cabins – but only in high-quality parking areas (gold or platinum category) – could serve as an incentive for investment and genuinely improve working conditions. However, this would require legislative changes,” the EC report notes.
In particular, the provision in the Mobility Package banning drivers from spending their weekend rest in the cabin would need to be amended. This rule has been controversial within the transport industry since its inception, with both strong supporters and vocal critics.
The report also includes a proposal to make rest in a certified SSPA mandatory if no other accommodation option (e.g. hotel) is selected.
“A blatant attack on drivers’ well-being”
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) has strongly criticised the report’s recommendations, describing them as a “blatant attack on the well-being of truck drivers”. The union argues that drivers can already be forced to spend up to three weeks in their cabs.
“No young person wants to spend three weeks away from home, sleeping every night in a narrow bed, next to a busy motorway, often without access to basic amenities,” the ETF warns.
The union also criticised the research methodology and the lack of trade union involvement in the consultation process.
“Some 1,400 stakeholders were consulted, but no driver representative organisations were invited. This is a glaring omission that undermines the report’s credibility. Furthermore, none of our members were surveyed – which raises questions about its representativeness,” the ETF said in a statement.
The federation also condemned the lack of concrete proposals to improve the working and rest conditions of professional drivers, despite the report’s length of over 100 pages.
“The study is fundamentally flawed and should not be used as a basis for shaping EU transport policy,” the ETF concluded.
