Germany’s state authorities have extended the country-wide trial period for the use of digital co-drivers in abnormal transports until the end of June 2027.
The trial phase was first introduced in the summer of 2024 and was originally due to expire on December 31, 2025 when uniform national Federal regulations were expected to be adopted instead.
But delays in developing a nationwide system by the Federal Ministry of Transport has meant that individual states have agreed to extend the trial period which has been regarded as successful to date.
The extended trial will again be implemented by identical state decrees, some of which have already been published, for example in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.
ESTA has long supported the use of digital co-drivers and has lobbied for Europe to agree a common system as a way to both improve safety and efficiency in the heavy transport industry.
ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “We hope that Germany’s support for electronic co-drivers is a first step towards the development of an agreed common approach right across Europe.
“Current paper-based systems mean trucks have to carry huge numbers of documents which is both inefficient, less safe and increases the chance of loss, unintentional errors and delays.”
There is common acceptance that electronic systems are preferable, but Klijn added: “It would be tragic if the transport authorities allow a fragmented approach with different incompatible systems being developed in different countries.”
Two such systems are the Efficient Road Navigation Assistant (ERNA) developed by Sommer, the German heavy transport support company, and the IntelliDrive system from Intelliroad. Both companies are ESTA members.
Available in several languages, these systems assist the truck driver and the driver of the accompanying vehicle in complying with the route of the permit and the associated conditions, and can also advise on driving restrictions and rest areas.
Like navigation systems, these systems provide a visual display and an audible announcement of the authorized route along with driving conditions and instructions that are linked to a GPS position.