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Mobility and Transport

Working time

Directive 2002/15/EC lays down minimum requirements with regard to the organisation of the working time for all persons performing mobile road transport activities, including self-employed drivers, in order to improve road safety, health and safety of drivers, and prevent distortion of competition. It also supplements the provisions of Regulation (EC) 561/2006 which lays down common rules on drivers' driving time and rest periods.

More particularly, it contains the following general provisions:

  • Definitions of working time, periods of availability, place of work, mobile worker, self-employed driver, week, night time and night work;
  • Maximum working week: 48 hours can be extended to 60 hours provided an average of 48 hours per week is not exceeded in any 4 month period;
  • Breaks: not more than 6 hours should be worked consecutively without a break (at least 30 min when 6 to 9 hours are worked per day);
  • Rest time: the provisions of Regulation (EC) 561/2006 are maintained;
  • Night work: not more than 10 hours worked in any 24-hour period when a night shift is performed.

Working time rules are applicable to all drivers, including self-employed ones, as of 23 March 2009.

Files

Related documents

Legislation

Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities

Policy

Biennial report on the implementation of the social legislation related to road transport

Related documents

Legislation

Directive 2002/15/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities

Policy

Biennial report on the implementation of the social legislation related to road transport