Abstract
In June 1985 the EC transport council in Luxembourg established the essentials for a new regulation concerning driver's hours and rest periods. The transport council did not take into account the demand of the European social partners to consult them about particular rules, which could make provision for the needs of specific sectors and activities of the national and international transport of goods. The new regulation of driver's hours and rest periods is a political compromise, which gives in no way a guarantee for observance. As an instrument of harmonisation on EC level this regulation therefore does not seem to be efficient.