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EU VO 561/2006 · AETR · Aktuell 2026
Driving Times & Rest Periods
Complete tables on driving times and rest periods under EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006 and the AETR Agreement. Including tachograph obligation, fine overview and WTD working time directive – current 2026.
Quick Answer
9h
Daily driving
2×/week up to 10h
56h
Weekly driving
max. 90h/2 weeks
45 min
Break after 4.5h
or 15+30 min
11h
Daily rest
or 9h (reduced)
Table 1: Driving Times & Rest Periods (EU Reg. 561/2006)
Key rules driving times & rest periods (EU Reg. 561/2006)
- Daily driving time: max. 9h (extendable to 10h 2×/week)
- Mandatory break: 45 min after max. 4.5h driving (or 15+30 min)
- Weekly driving time: max. 56h (two-week max. 90h)
- Daily rest: min. 11h (reduced: 9h, max. 3×/week)
- Weekly rest: min. 45h (reduced: 24h, compensation by 3rd following week)
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Daily driving time | 9h |
| Driving break | 45 min |
| Weekly driving time | 56h |
| Two-week driving time | 90h |
| Daily rest (regular) | 11h |
| Daily rest (reduced) | 9h |
| Weekly rest (regular) | 45h |
| Weekly rest (reduced) | 24h |
Table 2: Multi-manning
| Rule | Solo Driver | Multi-manning |
|---|---|---|
| Max. daily driving | 9h (10h) | 9h (10h 2×) |
| Daily rest | 11h (9h red.) | 9h |
| Rest after departure | — | 1h in first 3h |
| Weekly driving | 56h | 56h |
Even in multi-manning, each driver is subject to the same daily driving time as solo operation (9h, max. 2×/week 10h). The advantage lies in the reduced rest time (9h instead of 11h) and the ability to take it while travelling.
Table 3: EU Reg. 561/2006 vs. AETR (Switzerland)
Switzerland is an AETR contracting state. The rules are largely identical to EU Reg. 561/2006.
| Aspect | EU (561/2006) | AETR / CH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | from 3.5t, commercial | from 3.5t, international transport |
| Daily driving | 9h (10h 2×) | 9h (10h 2×) |
| Weekly driving | 56h | 56h |
| Smart tachograph required | since 2019 (new vehicles) | from 2019 for new vehicles |
| Swiss national deviations | — | AZG applies for domestic Swiss transport |
Smart Tachograph V2
Table 4: Tachograph Types & Obligations
| Type | Introduced | Required for |
|---|---|---|
| Analogue tachograph | < 2004 | Old vehicles (exception) |
| Digital tachograph (1st gen) | 2004–2019 | Existing vehicles until retrofit deadline |
| Smart Tachograph V1 | 2019–2023 | New vehicles from 06/2019 |
| Smart Tachograph V2 | 2023+ | New vehicles from 08/2023. Retrofit V1→V2: by 19.08.2025 (>3.5t intl.). Vehicles 2.5–3.5t cross-border: from 01.07.2026 |
Table 5: Fines for Driving Time Violations
| Country | Driver (minor) | Driver (serious) |
|---|---|---|
| DE Deutschland | € 30–500 | bis € 5.000 |
| CH Schweiz | CHF 100–500 | bis CHF 5.000 |
| AT Österreich | € 36–200 | bis € 2.180 |
| FR Frankreich | € 135–750 | bis € 3.750 |
| NL Niederlande | € 50–500 | bis € 3.300 |
* Guidelines 2026. Actual amounts may vary depending on severity and frequency of violation.
EU Mobility Package (Reg. 2020/1054) – Key Changes
The EU Mobility Package (in force from August 2020 / February 2022) brought significant new rules on driving times, rest periods and cabotage. These rules apply to commercial goods transport >3.5t in the EU.
Driver return obligation
- ·Driver must return to their place of residence or base every 3–4 weeks
- ·Companies must organise and document the return
Sleeping ban in vehicle (weekly rest)
- ·Regular weekly rest (45h) may NOT be spent in the vehicle
- ·Suitable, paid accommodation must be provided or financed by the company
Cabotage: 4-day cooling-off
- ·After completing all cabotage operations: 4 days no cabotage in the same country
- ·In addition to existing rule: max. 3 cabotage runs in 7 days
Ferry & Train – Art. 9
Ferry & Train: Special Rest Period Rule (Art. 9)
When a driver transports their vehicle on a ferry or train, the daily or reduced weekly rest period may be interrupted – under clearly defined conditions (Art. 9 Reg. 561/2006, updated by Reg. 2020/1054).
Permitted – daily / reduced weekly rest
- Interruption max. 2× during the rest period
- Total duration of interruptions: max. 1 hour
- Driver must have access to a sleeping cabin or bunk
Regular weekly rest (45h) on ferry
- →Only permitted if planned ferry journey ≥ 8 hours
- →Driver must have access to sleeping cabin (not bunk/seat)
- →Interruption rules (2× / max. 1h) apply here too
Emergency Exception: Driving Time Extension (Art. 12 Reg. 561/2006)
Under exceptional circumstances (e.g. traffic jam, accident, border waiting time) a driver may exceed driving time – provided road safety is not jeopardised. The exception only applies to reach a safe location or the base.
+1h
Basic extension
To reach base/home and start weekly rest
+2h
Extension with break
Only if at least 30 min uninterrupted break taken beforehand
Mandatory: Note the type and reason for the deviation by hand on the recording sheet, tachograph printout or work schedule. Carry the record for 28 days. Extension must be compensated by the end of the 3rd following week.
Exceptions from Reg. 561/2006
Not applicable to: vehicles under 3.5t, domestic transport outside EU/AETR territory, vehicles with max. 9 seats (non-commercial), empty runs related to crafts/agriculture within 100km of base, police/fire/military vehicles, humanitarian aid vehicles.
WTD – EU Working Time Directive for Drivers
48h
Max. working time/week
avg over 4 months (up to 60h/week possible)
10h
Night work max.
Per 24h period with night work
30 min
Break for >6h work
In addition to driving breaks