EU DRIVER'S HOURS RULES - LIMITS FOR DRIVERS OF GOODS VEHICLES OVER 3.5 TONNES GVW
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Breaks from driving
Daily driving
Weekly driving
Daily rest
Two-weekly driving
Multi-manning daily rest
Weekly rest
Ferry/train daily rest
A break of no less than 45 minutes must be taken after no more than 4.5 hours of driving. The break can be divided into two periods - the first at least 15 minutes long and the second at least 30 minutes - taken over the 4.5 hours.
Maximum of 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week. |
Maximum of 56 hours
Minimum of 11 hours, which can be reduced to a minimum of 9 hours no more than three times between weekly rests. May be taken in two periods, the first at least 3 hours long and the second at least 9 hours long. The rest must be completed within 24 hours of the end of the last daily or weekly rest period.
Maximum of 90 hours in any two-week period. |
A 9-hour daily rest must be taken within a period of 30 hours that starts from the end of the last daily or weekly rest period. For the first hour of multi-manning the presence of another driver is optional, but for the remaining time it is compulsory.
A regular weekly rest of at least 45 hours, or a reduced weekly rest of at least 24 hours, must be started no later than the end of six consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the last weekly rest. In any two consecutive weeks, a driver must have at least two weekly rests - one of which must be at least 45 hours long. A weekly rest that falls in two weeks may be counted in either week but not in both. Any reductions must be compensated in one block by an equivalent rest added to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week, following the week in question.
A regular daily rest period (of at least 11 hours) may be interrupted no more than twice by other activities of not more than 1 hour's duration in total, provided that the driver is accompanying a vehicle that is travelling by ferry or train and provided that the driver has access to a bunk or couchette.
WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE
The rules are:
A maximum average 48 hour working week - this is normally calculated over a fixed 17 (occasionally 18) week reference period which the Government defines. However, reference periods may be extended up to a maximum of 26 weeks and changed to different fixed calendar periods by collective (union) or workforce agreement.
A maximum cap of 60 hours working time in any fixed week - the fixed week starts at 00.00 hours on each Monday and finishes at 24.00 hours the following Sunday.
A maximum limit of 10 hours in any 24 hours period for night workers - for goods vehicle operations, a night worker is someone who works for any time between 00.00 hours and 04.00 hours. This night work limit may be varied by collective or workforce agreement, but all other rules and limits still apply, including tachograph rules.
Breaks from work - You may not work for more than 6 hours without a break. A 30-minute break is needed if your total working time is over 6 but not over 9 hours, or 45 minutes is needed if your total working time is over 9 hours.
Daily and weekly rest as specified in the tachograph rules.