Driving Time and rest Periods

Drivers who perform road transport are bound by driving and rest time rules. These are laid down in a European regulation.

The new regulation (number 561/2006) entered into force on April 11, 2007.

​

The provisions for driving and rest times in the regulation apply to journeys within the European Union Union.

Once the destination of a ride is in Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia / Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Turkmenistan or Belarus, other provisions will apply.

​

These countries are in fact parties to the AETR treaty.

​

For example: a driver is ordered from Roermond (the Netherlands) to pick up a load in Milan (Italy).

During a stopover in Munich (Germany), he hears from the company that he is deployed for another ride:

he has to pick up a load in Minsk (Belarus).

At that time, the AETR provisions will apply to the entire journey (from Roermond to Minsk).

​

When one or more journeys are carried out under the AETR Convention for a week, the provisions for the weekly and fortnightly driving and rest periods from the AETR Convention apply to that period.

​

Driving time and rest periods

​

Daily rest period

-Normal: 11-hour continuous rest period

-May be split into 2 periods:

​

* 1st minimum 3 continuous hours

* 2nd minimum 9 continuous hours

​

-

Shortened daily rest: at least 9 hours, and less than 11 hours (max. Three times between two weekly

rest periods)

​

-

Multiple crew: minimum 9 hours (per 30 hours), 1st optional (when 2nd driver is added within 1 hour, applies to both from start of everyone's work (the period of 30 hours).

​

Weekly rest period

-Normal: 45-hour continuous rest period

​

-

Shortened weekly rest: minimum 24 hours consecutive rest (with compensation before the end third week collectively)

-In each two-week period, 2x a normal weekly rest period, or 1 normal and 1 shortened weekly rest period

-A new weekly rest period must commence no later than after each period of 6x 24 hours

​

Daily driving time

Total driving time between 2 rest periods (daily or weekly)

-Normal: maximum 9 hours

-Maximum: 2x per week: 10 hours

​

Uninterrupted driving time

-After 4.5 hours driver takes 45 consecutive minute break

-May be replaced with a 15 minute break followed by one of 30 minutes (total of at least 45 minutes)

​

Weekly driving time

-should not exceed 56 hours

​

Two weekly driving times

-must not exceed 90 hours

​

 

 

 

Driving time and rest periods (AETR)

​

Daily rest period

-Normal: 11-hour continuous rest period

-May be split into 2 or 3 periods:

​

* minimum 4 continuous hours or (1+3, 3+1 or 2+2 hours), followed by:

* minimum 8 continuous hours

​

-

Shortened daily rest: minimum 9 hours, less than 11 hours (compensation required, max three times a week)

-Multiple crew: minimum 8 hours (period 30 hours)

​

Weekly rest period

-Normally per week: 45-hour continuous rest period

-Shortened weekly rest:

​

* On site at least 36 hours, with compensation

* Outdoor location at least 24 hours, with compensation

​

Daily driving time

-Total driving time between 2 rest periods (daily or weekly)

-Normal: maximum 9 hours

-Maximum 2x per week: 10 hours

 

Uninterrupted driving time

-After 4.5 hours of driving time, driver takes a 45-minute consecutive minute break

-May be replaced by a minimum of 15 minutes interruption (45 minutes total)

​

Two weekly driving times

-Must not exceed 90 hours

​

​

​

​

​