EU Driving Limits & Rules

Summary of EU limits on drivers’ hours 

The current limits on drivers’ hours as specified by the EU rules are summarised below. 

Breaks from Driving 

A break of no less than 45 minutes must be taken after no more than 4.5 hours of driving. The break can be divided into two periods, the first at least 15 minutes long and the second at least 30 minutes and taken over 4.5 hours. 

Daily Driving 

Maximum of 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week. 

Weekly Driving 

Maximum of 56 hours. 

Two-weekly Driving 

Maximum of 90 hours in any 2 week period. 

Daily Rest 

Minimum of 11 hours, which can be reduced to a minimum of 9 hours no more than 3 times between weekly rests. It may be taken in two periods, the first at least 3 hours long and the second at least 9 hours long. The rest must be completed within 24 hours of the end of the last daily or weekly rest period. 

Multi-manning Daily Rest 

A 9-hour daily rest must be taken within a period of 30 hours that starts from the end of the last daily or weekly rest period. For the first hour of multi-manning, the presence of another driver is optional, but for the remaining time, it is compulsory. 

Ferry/Train Daily Rest 

A regular daily rest period of at least 11 hours may be interrupted no more than twice by other activities of not more than 1 hour’s duration in total, provided that the driver is accompanying a vehicle that is travelling by ferry or train and has access to a bunk or couchette. 

Weekly Rest 

A regular weekly rest of at least 45 hours, or reduced weekly rest of a least 24 hours, must be started no later than the end of a six consecutive 24-hour period from the end of the last weekly rest. In any two consecutive weeks, a driver must have at least two weekly rests - one of which must be at least 45 hours long. A weekly rest that falls across two weeks may be counted in either week but not both. Any reductions must be compensated in one block by an equivalent rest added to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week following the week in question. 

Updated Links – May 2020 

The following links are to download documents specific for an HGV driver travelling to mainland France as follows: