The European Union (EU) has strict guidelines governing Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driver hours, known as HGV driving regulations. These guidelines have been created and revised to ensure drivers are well rested, addressing truck driving hours, breaks and rest periods for truck drivers to reduce driver fatigue and accidents. In this article, we will look at the drivers’ hours, break and rest regulations, working hours, break and rest regulations, HGV driving regulations, tachographs and record keeping, the importance of following these regulations and penalties for non-compliance. This guidance covers EU members like Czech, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Romania and non-EU members like Serbia.
The European Union (EU) has stringent rules on driving hours for truck drivers, mandatory breaks and rest periods. These rules, laid out in the EC No 561/2006 regulation, aim to address driver fatigue – which has been one of the key causes of road accidents.
Example of 9 hours driving per day
Example of 10 hours driving per day
Example of 56 hours driving per week (maximum)
As can be seen from the example above, the biweekly hours for weeks 1 and 2 and weeks 3 and 4 are less than 90 hours and, therefore, within the legal limits. But the combined weekly hours for weeks 2 and 3 are above the legal limit of 90 hours and, therefore, illegal.
Czech, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania are all members of the EU and follow EU rules with regard to driver hours, breaks and rest times. Serbia is not part of the EU but is a member of AETR and follows the AETR rules. The AETR is a European Agreement concerning the work of crews of vehicles engaged in International road transport. The AETR rules on driving hours are the same as the EU rules. The only exceptions are as follows:
45 minutes of break is required after a period of four and a half hours of driving continuously. This breakpoint may be interchanged for two intervals. The first break period should be 15 minutes or longer. The second break interval should be no shorter than 30 minutes. Both periods should be within 4.5 hours of driving.
Daily Rest: The daily rest period HGV drivers must adhere to is eleven hours of rest per day, which may be reduced to nine hours but at most three times between weekly intervals. This rest can be divided into two periods if the first period is at least 3 hours and the second is at least 9 hours. This daily rest can also be shortened to 9 consecutive hours at a maximum of three times between two weekly rest periods (called reduced daily rest periods).
Ferry: Where a driver accompanies a vehicle which is being transported by ferry or train and takes a regular daily rest period, that period may be interrupted on no more than two occasions by other activities not exceeding one hour in total. During that regular daily rest period, the driver must have a sleeper cabin, berth or couchette at his disposal.
Weekly Rest: A regular weekly rest period HGV drivers must adhere to is a continuous period of at least 45 hours. A reduced weekly rest is a period of at least 24 consecutive hours but less than 45 continuous hours. At least one full rest of 45 hours must be taken in any fortnight. A reduction in weekly rest would need to be compensated. The compensatory rest must be taken in one session by the end of the third week following the week under consideration. This is explained further with an example below.
Serbia is a member of AETR. AETR rules regarding driver’s hours and rest are mostly the same as the EU, with some exceptions as follows:
After the EU introduced driving hour rules, it was found that some companies were getting drivers to do other work for extended time. This meant that drivers were not getting enough rest. To address this, the EU issued Directive 2002/15/EC for Working Time Rules to limit their overall work (including driving).
Daily and weekly drivers' rest periods and working rest period requirements are the same according to drivers’ hours rules and working time rules.
Preventing Driver Fatigue: Driving while tired is very similar to driving after consuming alcohol; it profoundly impacts performance. The specified breaks and resting intervals avoid the accumulation of fatigue, helping drivers stay awake and attentive behind the wheel.
Enhancing Road Safety: Compared to non-adequately rested drivers, well-rested drivers are less involved in accidents. These truck driver regulations are crucial to the EU’s plan to lower road deaths and severe injuries. They ensure road safety for truck drivers and safer roads for all.
Complying with European Standards: Compliance with such regulations is not only a matter of protection against penalties. It’s about maintaining high safety levels. Compliance provides for uniform safety standards across the transport sectors of European countries, which helps build trust within the transportation sector.
Promoting Healthier Work Conditions: Driving without enough intervals may harm the driver’s physical and psychological condition. The rules provide rest periods and protect drivers’ health. They make sure that drivers get ample time to rest after long-haul driving.
Improving Efficiency and Morale: Rested drivers are more productive and commit fewer mistakes. These truck driver regulations play an indirect role in enhancing logistics operations. Additionally, they increase drivers’ job satisfaction and morale. This helps reduce turnover rates and creates a more dedicated workforce.
Tachographs: All trucks operating within the EU are obliged to use tachographs. These track driving times, breaks, rest periods, and other activities to meet EU driver working hours standards. They can also be used to record work times.
Time Sheets: If tachographs are only used to record driving hours HGV drivers drove for, then time sheets must be maintained to record work hours other than driving.
The tachograph record chart must contain:
If the vehicle has an analogue tachograph, you must be able to produce:
If the vehicle has a digital tachograph, you must be able to produce:
Understanding the regulations associated with drivers’ working hours is the quintessential element of road safety in the transport business. The rules include driving time, breaks that must be taken, and the entire number of hours that a driver can log in a fortnight. Violating these and tachograph laws can cause significant financial penalties or even harsher outcomes.
Slovakia
Poland
Hungary
The Czech Republic, Romania and Serbia have similar fines.
Czech Republic
Romania
Serbia
Beyond the hit to your wallet, getting caught breaking these rules can also mean:
Bottom line: Keeping on top of these rules is a must for companies and drivers alike to avoid fines and keep things running smoothly. And remember, rules can change, so it's always a good idea to check in with the local transport authority or get legal advice to stay clear.
The European Union (EU) created elaborate rules concerning Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV), which emphasise the safety of drivers by controlling their daily driving hours to minimise road accidents resulting from fatigue. Such laws prescribed maximum daily, weekly, and fortnightly driving hours, aimed at fighting chronic fatigue, as well as minimal required break after every four and a half hours of driving and minimum daily and weekly driver rest timing. Countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Romania are in line with these EU requirements while the provision of the same standards applies to Serbia under the agreement of AETR.
Additionally, to avoid excessive work besides driving, the EU adopted Directive 2002/15EC, which limits the number of working hours to ensure drivers have adequate time to rest. Maintaining compliance is enforced through tachographs and time sheets as they record the hours of driving, breaks and rest periods. Failure to comply can lead to strict penalties, such as large fines, license suspension, or negative consequences on the driver’s professional record, thus demonstrating the significance of these practices in protecting the health and well-being of all road users.
Telematics is a powerful fleet management software that helps streamline the record-keeping process for driving and rest period compliance. An electronic logging device (ELD) from Eurowag can record all breaks, rest periods, and consecutive driving periods.
Because the information is logged automatically, Telematics can streamline the administrative aspect of compliance. This saves time and money for drivers, dispatchers, owners and managers alike. The data captured can even be used to help lower fuel consumption, track vehicle maintenance needs, and improve driver behaviour and productivity.
Contact us to learn more about our telematics fleet management software and how we can help HGV companies with many of their needs.
