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