Training of professional drivers under current regulatory conditions

Abstract

The aim of this paper is a comparative analysis of the impact of contemporary regulatory changes in the European Union and the Republic of Serbia on the training system for professional drivers of commercial vehicles, with an emphasis on their role in improving road traffic safety. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the regulatory framework in the period 2003–2022, from Directive 2003/59/EC to Directive 2022/2561/EC, which advances the system through the digitalization of teaching, the promotion of environmentally responsible and safety-oriented driving, and the application of more flexible learning methods. The research is set within the context of the global initiative Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, whose goal is to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities by at least 50% (United Nations, 2021). The starting hypothesis of the paper is that the alignment of the national training system with European standards significantly contributes to the improvement of road transport safety and efficiency. The research is based on descriptive, analytical, comparative, and synthetic methods, supplemented with statistical indicators and case study analysis. Special emphasis is placed on the challenges of harmonizing the national training system with European standards—institutional, technological, and pedagogical–andragogical. Based on the analysis, recommendations have been formulated aimed at strengthening intersectoral cooperation, modernizing training programs, and supporting the continuous professional development of drivers, thereby contributing to the creation of safer and more competent road users.