Driving and rest periods, tachograph and documentation
What this domain tests
This domain covers EU driving and rest rules, tachograph use, and the paperwork for a C1E goods vehicle. The rules apply to goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, which includes C1 combinations.
Driving and rest limits
- Daily driving: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week.
- Weekly driving: 56 hours; fortnightly driving: 90 hours.
- After 4.5 hours driving, take a 45-minute break. It may be split into 15 minutes then 30 minutes, in that order.
- Daily rest: 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests.
- Weekly rest: 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation.
Tachograph use
Insert your driver card before driving. Select the correct mode: driving, other work, availability, or rest. Record manual entries for work done without the card, such as loading or paperwork. Do not claim a break while loading or supervising. Keep printouts when required and be able to explain them.
Documentation
Carry your licence, registration, insurance, transport documents, and tachograph records. For own-account or exempt operations, know the exact exemption conditions; do not assume that a light lorry is automatically exempt.
Worked example
A driver starts at 06:00, drives until 10:30, then loads for 30 minutes. Reasoned answer: the 4.5-hour driving limit is reached at 10:30, so a break is due. Loading is other work, not a break. The driver needs at least 45 minutes of break, or 15 minutes now and 30 minutes later, before driving again. Starting the break at 10:30 and finishing at 11:15 is correct.
Traps that cost marks
- Counting loading or paperwork as a break.
- Forgetting the 15 + 30 split order.
- Taking a reduced daily rest more often than allowed.
- Not making manual entries when the card was out.
- Assuming C1E is outside EU tachograph rules.
- Missing weekly rest compensation.