Work and rest schedule for drivers

Truckers traveling on routes within the EU are required to comply with a certain regime of work and rest, all the rules of which are stated and described in the so-called mobility package. In Germany, this code is especially strict. The driver can receive a serious fine or even lose access to his vehicle for a while for violating the rules of the regiment.

Let’s discuss the nuances of  drivers’ work and rest regime, answer popular questions and, for your convenience, we’ll present the main theses of the 2022 mobility package in the form of a table.

Tachograph

A tachograph is used to capture basic data regarding movement of vehicles. This device tracks how thoroughly the driver adheres to all the rules of the directive. Drivers can make printouts using the tachograph.

Starting work, the driver must place his personal driver card in the slot of the device. To activate a personal driver's card, they must enter a pin code. If the vehicle is driven by two drivers in turn, a device with dual card slots must be used.

Unless you want to get a fine, make sure that the driver's card does not demagnetize. Keep it away from devices with a strong electromagnetic field.

Mobility Package Basic Rules 2022-23

Truckers working in the EU countries can drive a truck for a maximum of 56 hours during the working week. You can to work no more than nine hours a day, but there is an option to extend the working day to a maximum of ten hours. You can the extension function for no more than two times per working week.

In principle, it is not forbidden for the driver to work all week, but it's important to clearly keep to the allowed time. If you work nine hours every day and increase your working hours to ten hours in the last two days, one day should be a full day off. If you do not comply with this rule, you will violate the code on allowable weekly working hours. Remember that more than 56 hours in total are not allowed. This will result in the driver receiving a fine.

If you work for two weeks (14 days) in a row, don’t forget the following rule: the allowed working time for two weeks is 90 hours. This means that after working 56 hours one week, you may only work 34 hours the next week, otherwise you will exceed the total allowed working time of 90 hours. This is punishable by a fine.

How much rest time must a truck driver have per week?

According to the working and rest time regulations for drivers in Europe, a truck driver must rest for 45 hours. Such a break must be taken every 7 working days. If necessary, the break can be shortened to 24 hours.

Daily rest

The working and resting time regulations for drivers in Germany stipulate that a truck driver must rest for at least 11 hours each day. This rest period can be divided into two parts: initially three hours of rest, after some time another nine hours.

It is possible to reduce the daily rest period from eleven to nine hours. However, within seven consecutive working days, the daily rest period may not be reduced more than three times.

Breaks during the day

According to the directive, a truck driver may only drive a vehicle for 4 hours and 30 minutes at a time. After that, you must take a break of at least 45 minutes. During the break, you may not drive, wash the vehicle, or load or unload goods.

Each full break can be divided into two parts: a break for the first 15 minutes, then another for 30 minutes.

What happens if you violate the rules of the mobility package?

The working time and rest period regulations for drivers in Europe are designed to ensure road safety. If a truck driver violates the operating rules without serious reasons, sanctions are imposed on him. For example, if you shorten the break by 10 minutes, the fine is 30 euros, and for the owner of the vehicle it’s 90 euros. If you "steal" a break of 15 minutes, the fine increases to 60 euros for the driver and up to 180 euros for the owner of the vehicle.

If the driver doesn't have the entire amount on him to pay the fine, the car may be impounded. The car will be returned only after all fines are paid. The conclusion is that it's better not to violate the rules, so you don't have to pay impressive sums and deal with the German bureaucracy.

Are there exceptions to the rules?

Violation of the work and rest time regulations is unacceptable unless there are serious reasons. 

Cases of force majeure include:

• when the driver endangers road safety by not continuing the trip; the driver must get to the parking lot to take the rest period and this trip cannot be postponed for objective reasons;
• the trip must be continued to ensure the safety of the load (the driver must have objective reasons).
• If the driver was forced to violate the rules of the Mobility Package for Truck Drivers for a justified reason, he is obliged to arrive at the specified place and finish the trip as soon as possible. In addition, the truck driver must indicate the reason for the violation of the regulation on the registration form, on a diskette with the diagram and in the printout of the tachograph data.

If you get into an unpleasant situation on Germany's roads when you need an urgent repair or towing, contact masters at MT onroad. We are available around the clock, we help with repairs, spare parts and other issues to do with the technical support of trucks. Also for your convenience, we’ve attached the categories of work and rest time for drivers in the form of a table.