Everything you need to know about driving and resting times of a driver

The legislation of the driving and rest times of a driver apply in 27 member states of the European Union for any movement that takes place in whole or in part on roads open to public use, both empty and loaded.

TO WHOM DO THESE DRIVING AND REST PERIODS APPLY?

  • Drivers transporting goods where the maximum authorized mass of the vehicles, including trailers and semi-trailers, exceeds 3.5 tons;
  • Drivers carrying passengers in vehicles equipped for more than 9 people.

WHAT DO THESE HOURS SPECIFICALLY MEAN?

  • A driver may drive for a maximum of 9 hours a day and twice a week for 10 hours;
  • A driver may drive for a maximum of 4.5 hours without interruption, after which he must take a 45-minute break. This rest time may be divided into 15 and 30 minutes;
  • A driver must take a minimum of 9 hours rest time per day before starting a new journey;
  • The total performance of one driver may not exceed 15 hours, otherwise two drivers are required;
  • Two drivers may have a maximum shift time of 21 hours, after that they must also take a minimum of 9 hours rest;
  • The weekly driving time may not exceed 56 hours and the total accumulated driving time of two consecutive weeks may not exceed 90 hours;


A driver must take a weekly rest period of at least 24 hours after a maximum of 6 working days. In the case of an international journey, the weekly rest period may be taken after a maximum of 12 days, in which case it must be at least 69 hours.

HOW ARE DRIVING TIMES AND REST PERIODS CHECKED?

A tachograph system is used to check driving times and rest periods. This can be either analog or digital. An analog tachograph works with discs that the driver must position manually. This disc must be replaced every working day. A digital tachograph works using a driver card with hardware directly installed in the vehicle. Without the presence of the driver card, a driver may not drive.

A driver must always be able to present his performance of the current day and the previous 28 days to the control services. After these 28 days, the discs must be kept in the office. There are penalties for not respecting driving and rest times. You risk a fine that varies between € 62 and € 1500 or even more. It is therefore essential that the driving and resting times are strictly observed!

More info?

Check out the website of the FOD Mobility on driving and resting times.

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