European Union Truck driver



in european union, drivers working hours regulated eu regulation (ec) no 561/2006 entered force on april 11, 2007. non-stop driving time may not exceed 4.5 hours. after 4.5 hours of driving driver must take break period of @ least 45 minutes. however, can split 2 breaks, first being @ least 15 minutes, , second being @ least 30 minutes in length.


the daily driving time shall not exceed 9 hours. daily driving time may extended @ 10 hours not more twice during week. weekly driving time may not exceed 56 hours. in addition this, driver cannot exceed 90 hours driving in fortnight. within each period of 24 hours after end of previous daily rest period or weekly rest period driver must take new daily rest period. 11-hour (or more) daily rest called regular daily rest period. alternatively, driver can split regular daily rest period 2 periods. first period must @ least 3 hours of uninterrupted rest , can taken @ time during day. second must @ least 9 hours of uninterrupted rest, giving total minimum rest of 12 hours. driver may reduce daily rest period no less 9 continuous hours, can done no more 3 times between 2 weekly rest periods; no compensation reduction required. daily rest less 11 hours @ least 9 hours long called reduced daily rest period. when daily rest taken, may taken in vehicle, long has suitable sleeping facilities , stationary.


‘multi-manning’ situation where, during each period of driving between 2 consecutive daily rest periods, or between daily rest period , weekly rest period, there @ least 2 drivers in vehicle driving. first hour of multi-manning presence of driver or drivers optional, remainder of period compulsory. allows vehicle depart operating centre , collect second driver along way, providing done within 1 hour of first driver starting work. vehicles manned 2 or more drivers governed same rules apply single-manned vehicles, apart daily rest requirements. vehicle manned 2 or more drivers, each driver must have daily rest period of @ least 9 consecutive hours within 30-hour period starts @ end of last daily or weekly rest period. organising drivers’ duties in such fashion enables crew’s duties spread on 21 hours. maximum driving time two-man crew taking advantage of concession 20 hours before daily rest required (although if both drivers entitled drive 10 hours). under multi-manning, ‘second’ driver in crew may not same driver duration of first driver’s shift in principle number of drivers long conditions met. whether these second drivers claim multi-manning concession in these circumstances depend on other duties. on multi-manning operation first 45 minutes of period of availability considered break, long co-driver no work.


journeys involving ferry or train transport driver accompanies vehicle being transported ferry or train, daily rest requirements more flexible. regular daily rest period may interrupted no more twice, total interruption must not exceed 1 hour in total. allows vehicle driven on ferry , off again @ end of crossing. rest period interrupted in way, total accumulated rest period must still 11 hours. bunk or couchette must available during rest period.


weekly rest regular weekly rest period period of @ least 45 consecutive hours. actual working week starts @ end of weekly rest period, , finishes when weekly rest period commenced, may mean weekly rest taken in middle of fixed (monday–sunday) week. acceptable – working week not required aligned ‘fixed’ week defined in rules, provided relevant limits complied with. alternatively, driver can take reduced weekly rest period of minimum of 24 consecutive hours. if reduction taken, must compensated equivalent period of rest taken in 1 block before end of third week following week in question. compensating rest must attached period of rest of @ least 9 hours – in effect either weekly or daily rest period. example, driver reduces weekly rest period 33 hours in week 1, must compensate attaching 12-hour period of rest rest period of @ least 9 hours before end of week 4. compensation cannot taken in several smaller periods. weekly rest period falls in 2 weeks may counted in either week not in both. however, rest period of @ least 69 hours in total may counted 2 back-to-back weekly rests (e.g. 45-hour weekly rest followed 24 hours), provided driver not exceed 144 hours’ work either before or after rest period in question. reduced weekly rest periods taken away base, these may taken in vehicle, provided has suitable sleeping facilities , stationary.


unforeseen events provided road safety not jeopardised, , enable driver reach suitable stopping place, departure eu rules may permitted extent necessary ensure safety of persons, vehicle or load. drivers must note reasons doing on of tachograph record sheets (if using analogue tachograph) or on printout or temporary sheet (if using digital tachograph) @ latest on reaching suitable stopping place (see relevant sections covering manual entries). repeated , regular occurrences, however, might indicate enforcement officers employers not in fact scheduling work enable compliance applicable rules.









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