Weekly and biweekly working hours for professional drivers

Weekly working hours for drivers

To describe the weekly working hours of a driver, it is important to first note that the "week" refers to the time from 00:00 on Monday to 23:59 on Sunday. This period is defined in the regulation of the European Parliament and the Council (EC) No. 561/2006, which regulates the work of professional drivers within the European Union.

Furthermore, for a driver, the weekly working hours cannot exceed 6 daily cycles, which consist of driving, other work, and rest periods. After this, a regular weekly rest period of at least 35 hours must be observed, as we will explain later in the article.

What does the weekly working time of a driver mean?

The daily, weekly, and biweekly working hours for professional drivers are legally limited. It is also important to remember that the term "working time" for drivers refers to any activity related to their job, such as breaks, snow removal from the vehicle, cleaning the cabin, dispatching tasks, as well as loading, unloading, and servicing the vehicle.

It is necessary to remember that working time is not synonymous with driving time. The term "driving time" specifically refers to the time spent driving the vehicle.

What is the maximum weekly driving time and maximum weekly working time?

A professional driver’s daily working time can be up to 13 or 15 hours, but this must take several variables into account. We cover this issue, as well as a few related matters, such as extending working hours, in our comprehensive guide on drivers' working hours, which we encourage you to read.

The maximum working time for a professional driver in one week is 60 hours. On the other hand, the maximum driving time for a professional driver is 56 hours per week.

This means that a driver can spend an average of 8 hours per day driving. However, it should be noted that the provisions on working time are described in Article 12 of the 2004 Driver's Working Time Act.

Biweekly working time for drivers – What is the maximum biweekly driving time for a driver?

When planning driving time, drivers must also consider their schedule in terms of the biweekly driving time. Regulations state that the maximum driving time for a professional driver over two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours.

This means that if the driving time in one week was 48 hours, then the maximum for the next week is 42 hours. If the weekly driving time was 56 hours, the driving time in the next week cannot exceed 34 hours.

This limitation aims to ensure safety for both drivers and other road users, as well as to ensure comfortable working conditions.

Average working time for professional drivers

It is also worth noting that the average weekly working time is calculated from the driver's total working hours. This cannot exceed 48 hours in a week over the previously agreed-upon settlement period, which cannot be longer than 4 months. This is linked to the previously mentioned maximum weekly working time of 60 hours, which is permissible as long as the average weekly working hours over the settlement period are adhered to.

Weekly and biweekly working time for drivers – Night work

A driver’s schedule can also include up to 4 hours of work between 00:00 and 07:00. This is called night work. The employer determines this period and informs the employees accordingly.

If a driver works for at least 1 minute during these hours, their working time for that day cannot exceed 10 hours.

How long are breaks for professional drivers?

The length of the break during driving depends on how many hours the driver works that day.

• If the driver's work lasts 6 to 9 hours, the break will be 30 minutes.
• If it is 9 hours or more, the break will be 45 minutes. However, it must be taken before the next 4.5 hours of driving. It can also be divided into several parts, but none of them can be shorter than 15 minutes.

Regular weekly rest periods

Employers who hire drivers must also account for regular weekly rest periods in their schedule. These rest periods begin after 6 consecutive 24-hour working periods, counting from the end of the previous weekly rest period.

Each driver is entitled to at least 45 hours of uninterrupted rest during the week and must take it at least once every two weeks.

Additionally, the weekly rest period or a rest period lasting at least 45 hours cannot take place in the vehicle's cabin, and the employer must provide the driver with a place to sleep. If this requires renting, such as a hotel room, the employer must cover the associated costs.

Compensation for shortened weekly rest periods

In the transport industry, there is also something called a "shortened weekly rest period." This means the length of the weekly rest period for a driver will be at least 24 hours.

This shortening is possible if, over two consecutive weeks, the driver uses at least two regular weekly rest periods or one regular and one shortened period. Moreover, compensation must be given for the shortened weekly rest period.

However, in order to use this option, employers must remember that drivers are entitled to compensation for a shortened weekly rest period, which is equal to the difference between the shortened and the normal weekly rest period. Additionally, this compensation must be used before the end of the third week following the week in which the driver’s weekly rest was shortened.

It is also important to note that compensation must be given in full and cannot be split. However, it can be combined with the daily rest period.

Weekly working hours for drivers – summary

In conclusion, adhering to the regulations regarding weekly working hours for drivers is crucial for ensuring safety for both drivers and other road users. Understanding time limits, such as maximum working hours, rest periods, and breaks, allows for effective scheduling and helps avoid irregularities in transport operations. Employers hiring drivers must pay particular attention to issues related to weekly rest periods, both regular and shortened, and ensure proper compensation.

Complying with labor law regulations is not only a legal obligation but also a guarantee of better working conditions for drivers, which ultimately improves the quality of transport and logistics. Therefore, it is essential to regularly familiarize oneself with the current norms and updates in this area to ensure safe and efficient work for yourself and your employees.

If you need support in calculating the working hours of your drivers, we are happy to assist! Contact us and present the matter to our specialists, and they will take care of the rest!