GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
road freight transport rest period
Rest periods in road freight transport define the minimum off-duty time a driver must take between working shifts.
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Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006R0561
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Definition & Explanation
Rest periods in road freight transport define the minimum off-duty time a driver must take between working shifts. Under EU Regulation 561/2006, the standard daily rest is 11 consecutive hours; a reduced rest of 9 hours is permitted up to three times per week, provided it is compensated later. The weekly rest of 45 hours must be taken outside the vehicle. Digital tachographs record compliance, and enforcement authorities across the EU check records during roadside inspections. Rest periods should not be confused with breaks: a break interrupts driving time, while a rest period concludes the working day.
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