Driver Hours – EU Regulations Flashcards

A driver takes a reduced daily rest of 9 hours. What is the consequence?

Answer: It is permitted up to 3 times between two weekly rests — no compensation is required for reduced daily rest

A reduced daily rest of 9 hours (instead of 11) is permitted no more than 3 times between any two consecutive weekly rest periods. Unlike reduced weekly rest, no compensation is required for reduced daily rest.

What is the 'working time directive' (WTD) and how does it relate to EU 561/2006?

Answer: EU Directive 2002/15/EC limits total working time for mobile workers to 48 hours/week average — it applies alongside 561/2006

EU Directive 2002/15/EC (Working Time Directive for mobile workers) limits average working time to 48 hours/week (max 60 in any single week). It covers working time, not just driving time — it operates alongside 561/2006.

Under EU rules, when must a new weekly rest period begin after 6 consecutive days of work?

Answer: The weekly rest must begin within 6 consecutive days of the end of the previous weekly rest

A weekly rest period must commence within 6 consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the previous weekly rest. This effectively limits continuous working to 6 days.

How does EU 561/2006 define a 'driving period'?

Answer: The accumulated driving time between the end of one rest period or break and the start of the next rest or break

A driving period is the accumulated driving time from the end of one rest or qualifying break to the commencement of the next rest or qualifying break — it may span across midnight if no rest is taken.

If a driver exceeds daily driving limits due to a traffic jam or unexpected delay, what should they do?

Answer: Note the reason on the tachograph chart or use the out-of-scope entry, and inform the employer

If unavoidable circumstances cause a driver to exceed limits to reach a suitable stopping place, the driver must note the reason on the tachograph chart. This is a limited derogation for genuine road safety situations.

What does 'compensatory rest' mean in the context of EU driver hours?

Answer: Additional rest required to offset a previous reduction in weekly rest — must be attached to a daily or weekly rest period within 3 weeks

Compensatory rest is the additional rest required when a driver has taken a reduced weekly rest. The reduction amount must be added to a subsequent daily or weekly rest within the third week following the reduction week.