Social and Labour Law in Road Transport
Core concepts
Labour law governs the employment relationship between the operator and drivers. Understand the employment contract, the distinction between employee and self-employed driver, working time, rest periods, and the specific rules for mobile workers in road transport. Know the EU Driving Time and Rest Periods Regulation (EC) 561/2006: daily driving of 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week; weekly driving of 56 hours; two consecutive weeks of 90 hours; breaks after 4.5 hours of driving; daily rest of 11 hours (reducible to 9 hours three times between two weekly rests); weekly rest of 45 hours (reducible to 24 hours with compensation).
Belgian specifics
Know the tachograph rules, the obligations of the employer to keep records, the rules on night work, and the role of the social inspection. Understand the posting of drivers (Directive 2020/1057), the A1 certificate and the minimum wage rules applicable.
Traps
Questions often test the difference between a break and a rest, or the reduction of daily rest. Another trap is confusing the weekly rest reduction with compensation rules, and mixing driving time with working time (which includes loading and waiting). Remember that the 4.5-hour driving rule triggers a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 + 30 minutes.
Worked rule of thumb
A driver who has driven 4 hours and 30 minutes must take a 45-minute break before driving again; if the break is split, the second part must be at least 30 minutes. Always check the tachograph data before answering; the question usually hinges on the exact sequence.