Breaks – after 4.5 hours of driving
After no more than 4.5 hours of driving, take a 45-minute break. You may split it into 15 + 30 minutes.
The rule
After a driving period of a maximum of 4 hours 30 minutes, take a break of at least 45 minutes, unless you begin a rest period (daily or weekly rest period) at that point.
Splitting is allowed – in the right order
You may split the 45 minutes into first a break of at least 15 minutes and then a break of at least 30 minutes, distributed over the 4.5-hour driving period.
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| 15 min → driving → 30 min | 30 min → driving → 15 min |
| 20 min → driving → 35 min | 3 × 15 min |
| 45 min in one go | 10 min + 35 min |
After a full break (45 minutes, or 15 + 30), a new 4.5-hour count begins.
What counts as a break?
During a break you may not drive and not do any other work. Loading, unloading, refuelling, sorting out paperwork or checking the load is other work and therefore does not count as a break.
With two drivers (multi-manning)
In multi-manning, the driver who is not driving may take his 45-minute break while the other driver is driving, provided that he is not assisting the driver who is driving.