What is the AETR Convention?

What is the AETR convention? Definition

AETR stands for Accord Européen sur les Transports Routiers, which translates to the European Agreement on Road Transport. It was signed in 1970 in Geneva, and over time, more and more countries have adopted its content.

The AETR agreement regulates the employment rules for drivers involved in international road transport, driver working hours, and the documentation of their activities.

AETR regulations apply in countries that have signed the convention, as well as in countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), but they do not apply in the European Union, where Regulation 561/2006 is used.

In Poland, the AETR agreement has been in effect since 1992, although the Polish state signed the agreement in 1971.

Which countries are covered by AETR regulations?

Countries that have ratified AETR include: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Russian Federation, Finland, France, Greece, Georgia, Spain, Northern Ireland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

When are road transports not governed by AETR regulations?

It is important to note that there are cases where the AETR convention does not apply. These are specified in Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the document and include:

• Vehicles intended for the transport of goods with a maximum permissible total weight, including trailers or semitrailers, not exceeding 3.5 tons.
• Vehicles designed to transport passengers, with a construction and equipment suitable for the transport of no more than nine people, including the driver.
• Vehicles intended for regular passenger services, whose route does not exceed 50 km.
• Vehicles with a maximum permissible speed of no more than 30 km/h.
• Vehicles used by or under the control of the military forces, civil defense services, fire departments, and forces responsible for maintaining public order.
• Vehicles used for sewage services, flood protection, water supply, gas supply, energy services, road management, cleaning, telegraphy, postal services, radio transmission, television services, or related to detecting radio or television transmitters or receivers.
• Vehicles used in emergency situations or for rescue purposes.
• Specialized medical vehicles.
• Vehicles transporting circus or amusement park equipment.
• Specialized technical assistance vehicles.
• Vehicles undergoing road tests for technical improvements, repairs, or maintenance, as well as new or rebuilt vehicles that have not yet entered service.
• Vehicles used for non-commercial private transport of goods.
• Vehicles used to collect milk on farms or to deliver milk containers or dairy products to farms for livestock feeding.

International transports and the AETR Convention regulations

In countries that have signed the AETR Convention, the regulations are uniform and serve as a regulatory framework, and the legislation of each country should consider them when establishing national regulations.

It is important to note that the AETR agreement covers aspects such as:

• Employment rules and working hours for drivers.
• Required rest periods.
• Duties related to registering driver activity via a tachograph.
• The frequency and scope of inspections by authorized authorities.

Key rules of the AETR Convention

The convention sets a minimum age for drivers performing international road transport:

1. 18 years old for driving vehicles with trailers weighing up to 7.5 tons.
2. 21 years old for larger vehicles and passenger transport.

How does the AETR Convention regulate driver working hours?

The AETR Convention regulates driver working hours, which include both driving the vehicle and activities such as loading, unloading, and breaks.

In countries where the AETR Convention applies, the maximum daily working time for drivers is 9 hours, which can be increased to 10 hours twice a week.

The convention also stipulates that the maximum continuous driving time for a driver is 4.5 hours. The maximum daily driving time is 11 hours.

On a weekly basis, the AETR Convention sets a limit of 56 hours. Over two consecutive weeks, the total working time of the driver cannot exceed 90 hours.

What is the daily rest time for a driver according to the AETR agreement?

Driver rest hours are also regulated by the AETR provisions.

The AETR regulations require that the driver take a rest of at least 45 minutes, which can be split into two breaks (e.g., 15 minutes and 30 minutes). In addition, the daily rest for the driver is 11 hours.

The AETR agreement also sets the length of the weekly rest period for drivers, which is 24 hours.

What are the rules for weekly rest in the AETR Convention?

Within the scope of the AETR, the regular weekly rest period for drivers is 45 hours. However, it can be reduced to 24 hours. If reduced, the driver must take two regular weekly rest periods or one regular and one reduced period within the next two weeks.

In case of unused rest hours, the driver must take them within three weeks.

Driver rest time for a multi-person crew

The AETR regulations also define rest periods for drivers when working as part of a vehicle crew. The rest period must be 9 hours within 30 hours from the end of the previous rest period.

Driver rest time on ferries or trains

When traveling by ferry or train, the driver can divide their rest time into up to three segments, with the time of activity between them not exceeding 60 minutes.

Moreover, the driver must have access to a sleeper or cabin.

Regulation 561/2006 vs. the AETR Convention

It is important to note that in the European Union, Regulation 561/2006 applies, which also governs matters related to both international and domestic transport, but only in EU member countries.

If the driver's route passes through the European Union, the provisions of Regulation 561/2006 apply, while the AETR is relevant to international transport outside the EU.

Purpose and key aspects of the AETR Convention – Summary

In conclusion, the AETR Convention plays a crucial role in regulating international road transport in Europe and other parts of the world. Its provisions concerning working hours, rest periods, and driver duties are essential for ensuring road safety and improving working conditions for those involved in international transport.

Although the European Union follows different regulations (Regulation 561/2006), the AETR Convention remains the legal foundation for road transport in countries outside the EU. Understanding these regulations is important for both transport companies and drivers, who must comply to avoid penalties and ensure safe working conditions.