The Road Haulage Act (Güterkraftverkehrsgesetz, GüKG) is a law in Germany that regulates commercial road haulage. It establishes the regulations that apply to companies that transport goods by road for commercial purposes. The law was introduced to promote competition in road freight transport and to ensure the safety and quality of services.
The GüKG contains provisions on various aspects of road haulage, including:
- Permit requirement: The GüKG stipulates that companies wishing to engage in commercial road haulage must apply for a permit. Permission is granted by the relevant authorities and is subject to certain requirements, such as proof of financial capability and professional suitability.
- Cabotage: The GüKG also regulates cabotage, i.e. domestic road haulage by foreign companies. There are limits on the number and duration of cabotage trips to prevent unfair competition and protect the domestic market.
- Driving personnel: The GüKG contains provisions on the initial and further training of driving personnel. Certain qualifications and knowledge are required to work in road haulage. The law also specifies how long the driving and rest periods for drivers may be in order to ensure road safety.
- Controls and sanctions: The GüKG authorizes the authorities to carry out inspections to monitor compliance with the legal provisions. Violations of the GüKG can be punished with fines and, in serious cases, the road haulage permit can also be revoked.
The GüKG is an important instrument for regulating commercial road haulage in Germany and ensuring that it is operated in a fair and safe manner. It contributes to the efficiency of freight transport while protecting the interests of companies, drivers and road users.