Breaks during work and driver rest – What you need to know

Daily rest for drivers - Rules of daily rest

The daily rest period for a driver is the time when the driver does not engage in any work-related activities. If you want to know what activities count as working time for drivers, we encourage you to read our guide – Drivers' Working Hours: A Comprehensive Guide to Regulations and Practices.

The daily rest period occurs in two forms – regular and reduced.

Regular Daily Rest Period for Drivers

A regular daily rest period lasts at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest. During this time, the driver cannot perform any work-related duties.

Furthermore, the regular daily rest can take place in the vehicle's cabin, provided that the vehicle is in a designated parking spot and is equipped with a sleeping space.

Additionally, it is possible to split the regular daily rest into two parts. One part must be at least 3 hours, and the other part must be 9 hours, which refers to the minimum rest time when the rest is shortened. It should be noted that shortened rest is only possible if breaks in work do not exceed a specified limit within the working week.

Reduced daily rest reriod for drivers

Drivers can also take a so-called reduced daily rest period. This must not be shorter than 9 hours of uninterrupted rest within the 24-hour cycle. However, it is important to emphasize that the daily rest period can only be reduced 3 times between two weekly rest periods.

Restrictions regarding night work for drivers

When planning driver rests, the night period should also be considered, as regulated in the Driver's Working Time Act of April 16, 2004.

According to this law, a professional driver’s work during night hours (from 00:00 to 07:00) can last up to 4 hours. If the work continues for at least a minute, the maximum working time for that day cannot exceed 10 hours. The 4-hour period from 00:00 to 07:00 is set by the employer, but it is important that the information about the designated night period is included in, for example, employment conditions or company regulations.

Driver rest period on ferries

In the work of professional drivers, there are situations where they must take a ferry crossing or a cargo train ride, which presents an opportunity to take the daily rest period. However, several rules must be observed for this to be counted as a valid rest period.

If the rest during a ferry journey is to be counted as a regular daily rest, the total rest time before boarding, time spent on the ferry, and rest after disembarking must be within 24 hours from the start of work, with the driver not performing any duties during this time.

Consequently, the time from the start of work until arrival at the port should not exceed 12 hours to allow for an 11-hour rest period. Additionally, the driver should be able to rest in the cabin on the ferry, in a couchette or berth. If these accommodations are unavailable, the time spent on the ferry will be considered as "on standby."

It is also worth noting that boarding and disembarking operations are recorded as one operation on the tachograph. During these operations, the driver is required to input the country of the end of the journey and the country where the journey began.

Reduced rest on a ferry

During ferry crossings, drivers may use a reduced rest period, meaning they can split it into two parts: 3 hours and 9 hours. Moreover, if necessary, the driver can interrupt one of these two periods due to the need to board or disembark from the ferry, but this operation cannot last more than 1 hour. Interrupting both parts of the rest period is prohibited.

Additionally, drivers can take a reduced rest of at least 9 hours during a ferry crossing, but only if the crossing lasts longer than 9 hours, and the time spent on the ferry is within the 24-hour window that starts from the beginning of work, without interruptions caused by boarding or disembarking.

Rest on ferries for double crews

For double crews, the rest period on a ferry does not have to last 11 hours; it can be reduced to 9 hours.

Weekly driver rest

Each week, drivers are entitled to a so-called weekly rest period, which lasts at least 35 hours. This occurs after six 24-hour work cycles.

Just like the daily rest period, this can be divided into a regular weekly rest and a reduced weekly rest.

Additionally, within two work weeks, a professional driver must take two regular weekly rests or one regular rest and one reduced weekly rest.

Regular weekly rest periods

Regular weekly rest periods last at least 45 hours. It is important to note that these cannot take place in the vehicle cabin, and the employer is responsible for covering the costs related to providing accommodation with sleeping and sanitary facilities for the driver.

Reduced weekly rest periods

Reduced weekly rest periods must last at least 24 hours of uninterrupted rest. These can start with an 11-hour daily rest period and then be extended by 13 hours.

Moreover, during international trips, a professional driver can take a maximum of two reduced weekly rest periods but must also receive compensation for them. The compensation is the difference between the reduced rest time and the regular weekly rest, and it must be combined with another rest period of at least 9 hours.

Breaks and driving time for drivers

For drivers, breaks are a legal requirement, as stated in the Driver's Working Time Act. A break is defined as the time when a driver is not performing professional duties and must be used for rest.

The law stipulates that a professional driver must take a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving. This can be split into a 15-minute break during the 4.5-hour driving period and a 30-minute break after reaching the aforementioned time limit.

Furthermore, the law requires drivers to take at least a 30-minute break after 6 consecutive hours of work if the total working time of the day does not exceed 9 hours. If the working time exceeds 9 hours, the break must last at least 45 minutes.

It should be emphasized that breaks during working hours cannot be counted as rest periods.

Summary of breaks and rest periods for professional drivers

In conclusion, adhering to the regulations regarding rest periods and breaks is crucial for the safety of drivers and other road users. Ensuring the proper length of daily and weekly rest periods, as well as regular breaks during working hours, helps avoid fatigue and ensures better concentration behind the wheel.

Understanding and complying with the legal requirements regarding driver rest periods is the responsibility of both the drivers and their employers. Following these rules not only minimizes the risk of accidents but also helps avoid penalties associated with non-compliance. Therefore, it is important to continuously monitor changes in regulations and invest in systems that facilitate the control of working and rest time in transport companies.