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Rest time infringement * 

Break after 4.5 hours of continuous driving

When a driver has driven for 4.5 hours, they are required to take a 45-minute break. This 45-minute break can be split into an initial 15-minute break followed by a 30-minute break, but the breaks must be taken in this order.

Common issues
Breaks are taken too late or not fully completed, putting both safety and compliance at risk.

How to prevent this

  • Provide drivers with a clear break schedule.

  • Set reminders via onboard computers or mobile apps.

  • Plan routes with enough time for legally required breaks.

 

Daily rest

Daily rest: A driver is required to take a daily rest period of at least 11 hours within each 24-hour period. The 24-hour period starts when the driver’s shift begins.

Reduced daily rest: Up to three times per week, this rest period may be reduced to 9 hours.

Split daily rest: Minimum of 3 hours + at least 9 hours.

Example:
If the driver had extended their break, which started at 4 p.m., by half an hour and had finished work slightly earlier, they would have had a total of 9 uninterrupted hours of rest. Even if the driver is not allowed to reduce their daily rest to 9 hours (maximum of three times per week), they can still use the split daily rest option (3 + 9 hours). This would prevent a violation.

 

Weekly rest within 6 x 24 hours

Standard weekly rest:
Every driver must take at least 45 consecutive hours of rest per week.
Once every two weeks, this rest period may be reduced to a minimum of 24 hours.
The reduced rest must be compensated before the end of the third week.
The compensation must directly follow another rest period of at least 9 hours.

Timing:
After each period of 6 x 24 hours of driving (6 days), a new weekly rest period must begin.
The normal weekly rest must be taken at a location with suitable sleeping and sanitary facilities, such as a hotel or other appropriate accommodation.

 

For international transport

A driver may take two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods, provided this takes place outside the Netherlands.
Within a period of 4 weeks, there must always be 4 weekly rest periods, at least 2 of which must be regular (45 hours or more).
Each reduced rest period must be compensated before starting the next regular weekly rest.

 

The 'return home' rule

For international transport, a driver must return to their country of establishment or place of residence at least once every 4 weeks.
This return is intended so that they can take a regular weekly rest (≥45 hours) at home.

Common issues
Drivers postpone their weekly rest periods because they work too many consecutive days.

How to prevent this

  • Include mandatory rest periods in trip planning.

  • Proactively inform drivers about their remaining rest obligations.

Forgotten weekly rest compensation

Common issues
Reduced rest periods are not, or not timely, compensated, creating risks during inspections.

How to prevent this

  • Schedule compensation rest in advance, in consultation with the driver.

  • Make rest compensation a fixed topic in weekly work meetings.

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