Skip to main content

Brazil’s haulage firms face more costs due to strict new legislation

The Brazilian haulage sector is in the process of adjusting to a new bill set to come into force soon that will regulate compulsory driver resting periods. Law 12.619 means drivers must have a minimum resting period of 30 minutes for every four hours on the road. In addition, they must stop for one hour at lunch time, and they need to rest 11 hours for every 24 hours worked.
September 17, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The Brazilian haulage sector is in the process of adjusting to a new bill set to come into force soon that will regulate compulsory driver resting periods.

Law 12.619 means drivers must have a minimum resting period of 30 minutes for every four hours on the road. In addition, they must stop for one hour at lunch time, and they need to rest 11 hours for every 24 hours worked.

The rule changes have been criticised by some haulage firms and prompted many to increase their staffing levels and/or their contract outsourcing. The expenditure associated with complying with the new haulage sector regulations is said to represent a 40% cost rise for the majority of companies.

One company, Gafor, said it had managed to adjust some 70% of its contracts, while the price of its freight service could increase by up to 30% due to the greater number of vehicles and drivers on the road. Another firm, JSL, has also introduced operating changes: with drivers now having to log their stoppage times. The company relies on 7,000 drivers and still continues to recruit among this staff category. 6571 MIRA Transportes said it will have to increase its long distance (over 600km) service drivers by 30%. The company has a 550 vehicle fleet.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Prepare for ‘interoperability on steroids’
    May 19, 2023
    The gathering of Europe’s toll professionals offers a chance for views to be exchanged by senior people on a number of big issues: and there’s currently an awful lot to think about
  • Major highway growth in Portugal
    February 14, 2012
    Twenty years ago Portugal was bottom of the European league in terms of roads and safety. A series of ambitious plans has seen the country rise to the top. Patrick Smith reports on how this was achieved
  • New approach needed in Europe to help improve motorcycle safety
    August 22, 2012
    The European Commission is proposing that part of its controversial new Anti-Tampering regulations for motorcycles should be re-written to prevent custom motorcycle builders from using long-forks. This is the latest in a series of requirements in the regulations to attracted criticisms from motorcycle manufacturers, dealers, safety campaigners and enthusiasts groups.
  • Analysing intelligent speed adaptation benefits
    April 12, 2012
    Oliver Carsten, Professor of Transport Safety at the Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) at the University of Leeds, UK, discusses Intelligent Speed Adaptation, looking at its safety potential