Driver working time - key information and rules

Basics of driver's working time

A driver's working time is the time from the beginning to the end of work, including all activities related to the performance of road transport.
The driver's working time also includes a break of 15 minutes if the daily working time is at least 6 hours.
Also included in the driver's working time is the time outside the accepted work schedule during which the driver remains at the workplace ready to perform work.

The driver's working time, including overtime, may not exceed an average of 48 hours per week during the pay period (4 months).
The driver's weekly working time may be extended, but not more than 60 hours, and only if the average in the reference period does not exceed 48 hours per week.
The law allows a different number of overtime hours per calendar year to be established in a collective bargaining agreement, if there is none in the regulations, and if the employer is not required to establish regulations in the employment contract.

As a rule, a driver's working hours must not exceed 8 hours per day.
A driver's daily working time from the end of one daily rest period to the beginning of the next or between daily and weekly rest periods may not exceed 9 hours.
The driver's weekly working hours have been limited to a maximum of 60 hours.

The break (known as the driver's pause) is at least 15 minutes.
A break in driver activity can be divided into shorter periods of at least 15 minutes each.
The driver is entitled to a break each day and a weekly break.

Driving time for a business task must not exceed 9 hours in a day.
A driver may drive for 10 hours in a day if he has 11 hours of uninterrupted rest in every 24 hours.
A driver may drive for 10 hours in a day if he has 24 hours of uninterrupted rest in every 30 hours.

Rest is one of the most essential elements of a professional driver's job.
Drivers are required to use rest periods at the times and circumstances prescribed by law.
Rest time is included in the provisions of the law.

A driver who performs night work is entitled to a wage supplement for each hour of night work in the amount of 20% of the hourly rate based on the minimum wage.
The night work allowance is due to all employees performing night work and is independent of other allowances.

On-call time is the time outside normal working hours during which a driver is on standby to perform work under the employment contract at the workplace or other place designated by the employer.
The driver is entitled to compensation in the form of time off in the amount corresponding to the length of on-call duty.

In the case of a professional driver's working time, any omissions will be detected much faster than in the case of a regular full-time employee.
This is due to the frequent working time inspections taking place not only at transport companies, but especially on the roads.
And here it is worth noting that such an inspection can be carried out not only by the popular Road Transport Inspection, but also by the police, the Customs and Fiscal Service or the Border Guard.

Violations of driver working time regulations result in serious consequences. Consequences that are designed to ensure road safety and protect the health of drivers.
Consequences can include fines, loss of driving privileges or even criminal liability.