Have you ever noticed that there are often a lot of trucks parked in the parking lots next to the highway? Towards evening hours, these drivers naturally rest, but you often see trucks parked throughout the day. This is because drivers are obliged to observe certain agreements regarding driving and rest periods. In this blog, we will tell you the most important things you need to know about driving and rest periods.
What are these driving and rest periods and why were they introduced?
Driving and rest periods are agreements made to ensure the safety of both drivers and other road users. Every year there are a huge number of accidents caused by drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or are inattentive due to fatigue. A tired driver is less vigilant and has difficulty assessing certain dangerous traffic situations, which can get not only the driver but also other road users into trouble.
The breaks that drivers are required to take ensure that they have a moment to clear their heads and relax after a stressful drive. This greatly reduces the risk of accidents caused by fatigue.
Who do these driving and rest periods apply to?
Although every driver benefits from a break between driving, this regulation applies only to:
- Drivers engaged in the transportation of goods in vehicles whose maximum authorized mass (including semi-trailers or trailers) exceeds 3.5 tons. These rules also apply to drivers driving around without a load. So whether you drive around with a full load or not, these rules must always be respected.
- Drivers carrying 9 passengers or more, including themselves, must also follow these rules. Consider here, for example, bus drivers on group tours.
Specifically, what do these driving and rest periods mean?
The rules regarding driving and rest periods are quite extensive. For example, a driver may not drive for more than 4 hours 30 minutes at a time. Once the driver has reached that point, a mandatory break of at least 45 minutes follows.
Of course, the driver may not need to take these 45 consecutive minutes at that time. In that case, the break may also be split into two breaks: one break of at least 15 minutes and one break of at least 30 minutes.
In addition to the limit on the maximum number of consecutive driving hours, there is also a limit on the daily number of hours driven. For example, a driver may drive a maximum of 9 hours per day. This limit of 9 hours/day may be exceeded twice a week by one hour. Specifically, this means that twice a week there may be 10 driving hours on the counter instead of 9 hours.
The maximum number of driving hours allowed per week is 56 hours, which means a maximum of 6 driving days per week. Two busy weeks ahead? Beware: your driver is limited to 90 driving hours spread over two weeks.
Within a 24-hour period, a rest period of at least 11 hours must be taken. Again, the driver has the choice of taking this break in one part, or splitting it into two parts (uninterrupted break of at least 3 hours and a second uninterrupted break of at least 9 hours).
How are driving and rest periods monitored?
To monitor driving times in a transparent and objective manner, a tachograph system is used. These can be either analog or digital. Below we discuss the two systems and their differences.
1. ANALOGUE
An analog tachograph works on the basis of discs that the driver must manually place in the correct position. It is also his responsibility to replace this disk every working day. Compliance with driving times is regularly checked. During such checks, the driver must be able to present the disc for the day itself and for the previous 28 days. After these 28 days, the discs must be kept in the office or at the control center.
2. DIGITAL
A digital tachograph uses a driver card and operates using hardware that is built directly into the vehicle. Without the presence of the driver card, the vehicle is not allowed to drive under any circumstances. However, the driver will have to manually set the tachograph to the correct position and empty the card at least every 21 calendar days.
Are there penalties if these driving and rest periods are not observed?
Of course, there are penalties for not respecting driving and rest periods. And those penalties are tougher than you think! You risk a fine ranging between 62 - 1,500 euros and more. If you have a digital tachograph and - by accident - drive for a while without a driver's card, then the chances of a penalty are also very high.
