Driving Hours Calculator
Calculate your mandatory breaks and rest periods as a truck driver. Fully compliant with EU regulation 561/2006.
Quick Scenarios
Early bird
Start at 05:00 for a fresh start of the day.
Normal workday
Standard office hours, start at 08:00.
Evening ride
A late start at 18:00 for the evening hours.
Night rider
Start at 22:00 for the true night workers.
12:30
17:45
17:45
EU Rules 561/2006
The most important rules for driving and rest times
Daily driving time
Maximum 9 hours per day. May be extended to 10 hours twice per week.
Mandatory break
After 4.5 hours of driving, a break of at least 45 minutes is mandatory. May be split into 15 + 30 minutes.
Daily rest
Minimum 11 hours continuous rest per 24 hours. May be reduced to 9 hours 3x per week.
Weekly driving time
Maximum 56 hours per week and 90 hours per 2 weeks.
Driving and rest times explained for truck drivers
Driving and rest times in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe are laid down in EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006. As a professional driver of a truck over 3,500 kg, you must follow these rules. With the calculator above you can see at a glance when your mandatory break falls, how late you may keep driving and when your daily rest begins. Below we explain the key rules in plain language.
Daily and weekly driving time
You may drive a maximum of 9 hours per day. Twice a week you may extend this to 10 hours. Per week you drive a maximum of 56 hours, and no more than 90 hours over two consecutive weeks. If you drive 56 hours one week, a maximum of 34 hours remains for the next week.
Mandatory breaks
After no more than 4.5 hours of driving you must take a break of at least 45 minutes. You may split this break into at least 15 minutes first and then at least 30 minutes, in that order. During the break you may not carry out other work. After the break a new period of up to 4.5 hours of driving begins.
Daily and weekly rest
Within every 24 hours you are entitled to at least 11 hours of continuous daily rest. A maximum of three times between two weekly rest periods you may reduce this to 9 hours. You may also split the daily rest into 3 hours plus 9 hours. The normal weekly rest lasts at least 45 hours; a reduced weekly rest of at least 24 hours is allowed but must be compensated later.
Tachograph, enforcement and fines
Trucks contain a digital tachograph that automatically records your driving, break and rest times using your driver card. Enforcement authorities check this both on the road and at companies. Violations risk substantial fines for both the driver and the employer. This tool is an aid; when in doubt, always consult the current legislation or your tachograph.
Frequently asked questions
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