39 submissions from 39 organizations told the European Commission what they think about this file. Here is what each of them said, in their own words.
The Commission lists 214 submissions on this file. Shown here: the 39 from organizations. Not shown, by design: submissions from private individuals, which we never publish, and anything filed since our last weekly refresh.
Who showed up
19 submissions from industry — companies and their trade associations — against 13 from civil society: NGOs, consumer organizations, environmental groups and trade unions.
Industry 19Civil society 13Public authorities, academia, other 7
Groupings use the respondent type each organization selected when filing. Counting submissions, not organizations — a body that filed twice is counted twice.
What the room declares
11 of 39
in the EU Register
30
full-time lobbying staff
€4.2M+
declared costs a year
16
EP accreditations declared
Self-declared to the EU Transparency Register (snapshot 2 Sept 2026). The cost figure sums band floors, so the true total is higher.
The file, right now
The consultation closed on 30 Sept 2022 — it ran from 1 Jun 2022.
Policy area
Transport (DG MOVE)
Where it stands
Awaiting adoption
Adoption expected
31 Mar 2026
How it got here
Call for evidence · impact assessment8 Feb 2022
Public consultation30 Sept 2022
Also on the Commission’s pipeline for this file, with no date recorded: Initiative planned, Proposal for a regulation.
The availability of skills in the railway sector is under threat. Sustainable and quality-assured supply of skills in the railway industry affects and concerns all stakeholders. It represents an opportunity for a long-term and sustainable transport system based on sustainable calculations, projects and deliveries carried out on time and at the right quality.
Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission
The trade union ORSA FERROVIE requests that Article 28 be amended as follows: Article 28 Other members of the train crew 1. The profile and tasks of other train crew members performing safety-critical and rescue tasks, whose professional qualifications therefore contribute to railway safety and which are regulated under Annexes F and G of Regulation 773/2019 and should provide for a system of licences and/or…
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
The European Train Drivers' Union ALE, whose members are spread across several countries of the European Union, welcomes this initiative. The Directive that regulates our profession needs to be revised, brought into line with the times and with the opinion of all stakeholders so that, with dialogue and consensus, the objectives that we all consider essential in the structure of a Directive that regulates a…
As an international operator crossing 3 borders and using 5 different networks, Eurostar's experience of the Train Driver Licence Directive (TDLD) is mixed. We would like to provide the following first elements of feedback. Although the framework from the TDLD provides helpful elements of standardisation, we perceive the current arrangements as excessively bureaucratic.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is a member of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and supports its joint position. DB welcomes the upcoming revision of the Train Drivers Directive (2007/59/EC), scheduled for Q4 2022, as per the Action Plan of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
The Norwegian Ministry of Transport welcomes the initiative on the revision of the certification scheme for train drivers, and shares the main objective to establish a well-functioning European scheme. We would like to share with you our remarks to the document, and provide some general positions on how the scheme should be established. See the attached file with our feedback.
As the central works council of ÖBB Production, we note the European Commission’s published ‘call of evidence’: The solutions proposed by the European Commission to create a harmonised single railway area cannot be achieved through the revision of Directive 2007/59. They are too short as long as the technical conditions for real harmonisation of the system are not met.
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
The association mobifair — fair competition in the transport industry e.V. is working intensively on the requirements for the appropriate training of train drivers. We found that the EU guidelines 2007/59/EC on train drivers training only set minimum standards which each Member State needs to supplement at national level in order to achieve a good quality of training.
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
In the face of technological progress, ubiquitous digitization, and also for the purposes to increase the competitiveness of the railways, the initiative to revise Directive 2007/59/EC by unifying and simplifying the certification system as a factor in eliminating cross-border barriers to the movement of train drivers in the European Union, should be appreciated.
Like FIT CISL, the Transport Trade Union, we believe that a modern certification system that facilitates the mobility of train drivers cannot only pass through the principle of harmonisation of existing standards.
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
UNIFORMITY OF TRAINING — Even within the same Member State, there are considerable differences in the training programmes specific to each training provider. — This is not simply linked to differences in the operating environment, but above all to the diversity of training provided in terms of programmes, content and methodologies.
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
While Infrabel shares the desire for harmonisation, it nevertheless considers that it must go hand in hand with ensuring a high level of safety and flexibility in the certification procedure in order to be able to respond to the realities on the ground and the specific needs of each safety management system of operators, whether they are railway undertakings or infrastructure managers.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
The Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen e.V. (VDV), as the professional association of railway undertakings and infrastructure managers in Germany, welcomes the planned revision of Directive 2007/59/EC on the certification of train drivers (Tf).
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
The Swedish Transport Agency, NSA SE, would like to thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Commission’s impact assessment. Welcomes the initiative to revise the current Directive 2007/59/EC and its underlying acts, as we see a need to improve the current regulatory framework in several respects; However, we would like to make a number of comments, mainly on the need for further analysis, to the published…
Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission
ERFA, as the voice of private and independent rail freight companies, warmly welcomes the call for evidence for an impact assessment on the directive 2007/59/EC on the certification of train drivers. ERFA firmly believes that an efficient labour market with real worker mobility across both railway undertakings and countries, and easier assignment of train drivers for operations in various Member States are two…
JSC „BALTIJAS TRANZĪTA SERVISS” (BTS) is the largest private railway cargo carrier in the territory of the Republic of Latvia with more than 20 years of experience. BTS does not support the proposed changes in the procedure for certification of train drivers. The existing system proved itself as efficient.
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) welcomes the upcoming revision of the Train Drivers Directive (2007/59/EC), scheduled for Q4 2022, as per the Action Plan of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
A revision of the Directive is welcome. Good training, both linguistically and technically, contributes significantly to the quality of traffic management. There is a need for a harmonised system of training and corresponding awards and equivalent competence requirements, which ultimately also make it easier for drivers to switch to other companies.
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
Latvian Railway and Transport Industry Trade Union does not support the proposed changes in the procedure for certification of train drivers. The existing system proved itself as efficient. Changes in the certification system will not solve the issues of different types of locomotives, while after obtaining a certificate for driving a locomotive, the driver undergoes additional training from the employer on a…
The current model whereby a body recognised by a Member State ensures, as part of the process of certification of train drivers, that the requirements laid down in the Directive are met for applicants — age, fitness for physical and psychological (medical) condition, extent of general professional knowledge training, theoretical and practical training and qualification requirements and, in the case of successful…
Filed in Latvian · English published by the European Commission
In principle, the UTP welcomes the ambition of the European Commission to reduce cross-border obstacles to train driver mobility. With this in mind, the UTP is in favour of revising the EU certification model. In this respect, this revision should pursue the objectives of improving the “sensitive” points identified on the ground without revolutionising the certification system, which is highly connected to the…
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
V Sindikatu strojevodij Slovenije (SSSLO), ki združuje preko 90% vseh strojevodij v Republiki Sloveniji pozdravljamo namero po reviziji Direktive 2007/59/ES o izdaji spričeval strojevodjem, ki upravljajo lokomotive in vlake v železniškem sistemu EU.
Article 27 Report on other members of travelling staff 1. The Agency shall identify in a report to be submitted by 4 June 2009 and taking into account the TSIs on traffic regulation and management drawn up on the basis of Directives 96/48/EC and 2001/16/EC, the profile and tasks of other crew members performing safety-critical and rescue tasks, whose professional qualifications therefore contribute to railway safety…
Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission
The Norwegian Railway Authority, as the national safety authority in Norway, refer to the Call for evidence for an impact assessment for improving mobility for train drivers. We can agree on the presented issues and recognise a need for more common rules. We welcome the initiative for an increase in the common requirements for driver-certification.
ÖBB welcomes the upcoming revision of Directive 2007/59/EC and the development of further measures for more efficient, safe and sustainable railway operations, including those across borders. The following topics are fundamental in the revision. The use of electronic formats for the certification of train drivers (e.g. digital EU passport) should be included in the directive.
Hector Rail AB (HRAB) operates cross-border rail services in Scandinavia, both freight and passenger services. Our sister company Hector Rail GmbH operates freight transport in Germany, but also cross-border traffic into Denmark, on behalf of HRAB.
Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission
In response to this request for input, the Belgian National Safety Authority (NSA BE) wishes to emphasise in particular one element mentioned in the document. The transition from paper licences and complementary certificates to a digital system is likely to have an impact. Not only for fundamental rights, as mentioned, but also for the environment and for simplification and/or administrative burden.
Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission
Issue 2: driver certification requirements are outdated and no longer fit for purpose. ... With the development of higher levels of train automation, the tasks and roles are likely to be gradually changing from physical train to monitoring. It is therefore necessary to adapt training requirements; and certification of train drivers for technological progress.
Filed in Danish · English published by the European Commission
In order to improve the EU train driver certification system, the European Commission has launched a call for evidence open for comments that will be taken into account in the development and further development of the future legislative initiative.
Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) represents around 700.000 railway workers from across Europe. ETF welcomes the revision on the directive, as some important developments since its adoption were not foreseen and should be better reflected.
Comments on Train Drivers Directive 2007/59 (TDD) Relating to the consulting request European Commission of January 2022 Observations I welcome the opportunity to give comments on the preparation of a recast of the train drivers Directive 2007/59 (TDD).
Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission
The European Economic and Social Committee welcomes the announced revision of Directive 2007/59/EC, as in certain cases the Directive helps to undermine existing good training programmes, makes it more difficult to switch between companies and facilitates social dumping in skills standards at both European and national level.
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
There is no uniform legal framework for railways in the EU neither in the technical nor in the social area. The Commissions proposals, as presented in the document attached to the Consultation (language skills, certification method etc), do not fill the regulatory gap. In order to make transport by rail more attractive, a further harmonization is necessary.
We welcome the EC initiative to improve the mobility of train drivers in the EU. Addressing the issue of the recognition and validity of national certificates and the conditions for crossing trains at border stations in neighbouring countries is a very broad topic which is not easy to describe in the public consultation.
Filed in Slovak · English published by the European Commission
Trade union vida welcomes the announced revision of directive 2007/59/EC, since in certain cases it contributes to undermining existing good training programmes, making it more difficult to switch between companies and inviting social dumping on competence standards both at European and national level.
The RATP Group has developed unique historical expertise of a multimodal operator and is one of the world leaders in urban mobility. We operate on a daily basis 8 modes of transport in 14 countries, with a core activity in Ile-de-France, which includes in particular RER services provided on the French national rail network.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
Dear Sir/Madam, some three years ago, I started designing a uniform system that brings together the international licence and the complementary certificate for train drivers. To this end, I set up a name RAIL SPACE. I had my idea at the Federal Ministry of Transport in Austria for presentation to the Federal Minister (then Hofer).
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
As a German rail help, we support any initiative that makes the profession of train driver more varied and attractive for young people. In order to shift more traffic to rail, which is necessary for environmental and climate reasons, more train drivers are needed. There is a shortage of labour.
Filed in German · English published by the European Commission
With 23 years of experience in driving trains, I think that the medical procedure for obtaining certification should already be simplified as it is very anxiety for all drivers and even very unequal depending on the countries, centres and doctors practising there.
Filed in French · English published by the European Commission
Method. Every quote is verbatim from the organization’s own submission to the European Commission, trimmed to its opening passage and never summarized by a model. Where a submission was filed in another EU language we show the English text the European Commission publishes alongside it, labeled on the quote; the original is one click away at the source. Groupings use the respondent type the organization itself selected when filing. We deliberately do not label anyone “supportive” or “opposed” — you read what they wrote and draw your own conclusion. Organizations only, never individuals. Reused under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU; the European Commission is not liable for this reuse.
