Driving and rest time rules, tachograph and transport documentation
What the exam tests
This domain covers EU driving and rest time rules, tachograph use and transport documents for C1 goods vehicles over 3.5 t.
Core rules
- Under Regulation (EC) 561/2006, daily driving is normally 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week. Weekly driving max 56 hours; fortnightly max 90 hours.
- After 4.5 hours driving, take a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 minutes then 30 minutes.
- Daily rest is normally 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests. Weekly rest is 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation.
- Use the tachograph correctly: driver card, mode switch, manual entries for other work, breaks and availability. Carry printouts and required documents.
- Transport documents may include consignment note, vehicle documents, insurance and, for dangerous goods, ADR documentation.
Worked example
You start at 06:00 and drive 2 hours. You take a 15-minute break, then drive 2.5 hours. You have now driven 4.5 hours. May you continue? No. The first part of a split break is 15 minutes, but you still need a 30-minute break before further driving. Take 30 minutes now; the split break is complete.
Traps
Do not count loading or paperwork as a break unless recorded correctly. Do not split a 45-minute break as 30 + 15; the order is 15 then 30. Do not forget manual entries after driving without a card.