MEP Julien Leonardelli (PfE) and six other MEPs have asked the European Commission to clarify the definition of 'week' in Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on driving times and rest periods, warning that ambiguity between calendar weeks and working weeks is causing enforcement problems for road transport drivers, particularly in perishable goods and passenger transport.
The written parliamentary question, dated 20 July 2026, follows a letter from a road transport trainer highlighting recurrent difficulties in interpreting Articles 4 and 6 of the regulation. The MEPs note that the distinction between a calendar week and a working week leads to misunderstandings during inspections, with real consequences for drivers.
whether it is aware of these enforcement troubles, and whether it intends to clarify its interpretation of 'week' or propose a targeted amendment to remove the ambiguity.
This is the first parliamentary intervention on this specific interpretation issue. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it sees a need for legislative clarification or considers existing guidance sufficient.
legal certainty for drivers and enforcement authorities versus flexibility for operators. Clarifying 'week' could reduce inspection disputes but might also impose a uniform definition that does not fit all operational patterns.