Daily and weekly working hours for truck drivers in 2024 - what do you need to know?
In the profession of a professional driver, the correct scheduling of working time plays a key role. As a company with many years of experience in the transportation industry, Slawa Trans understands the importance of compliance with driver working time regulations.
Basic rules of working time of a professional driver
A driver's working hours are regulated by specific regulations, which specify both daily and weekly working hours. The standard daily working time for a driver is 9 hours, but it can be extended to 10 hours in certain cases. The driver may drive for a maximum of 4.5 hours without a break, after which he must take a break.
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Maximum daily working time of the driver
The daily working hours of a professional driver must not exceed certain limits. Under standard conditions, a driver works for 9 hours, but can extend driving time to 10 hours up to a maximum of twice a week. After 6 hours of work, the driver is entitled to a mandatory break.
Working time system and daily rest
Under the equivalent working time system, a driver must have a daily rest of 11 hours uninterrupted. In some cases, the daily rest may be reduced to 9 hours, but no more than three times between two weekly rests.
Weekly working hours and rest
A driver's weekly working hours must not exceed 56 hours, and in a two-week period the limit is 90 hours. Regular weekly rest should be at least 45 hours. Weekly driving time must be carefully monitored so as not to exceed the permitted standards.
Two-week driving time
Regulations on drivers' working time specify that biweekly driving time cannot exceed 90 hours. This is important when planning long-term routes and schedules for drivers.
Driver documentation and time records
Proper record-keeping of a driver's working hours is key to compliance with regulations. Every minute of a driver's work falls under a specific activity and must be properly documented. Driver cards and the tachograph are the primary tools for controlling working time.
Working time systems used in transportation
Drivers employed under different working time systems are subject to slightly different regulations. The task-based working time system gives some flexibility, but still requires adherence to basic working time standards for drivers. In a five-day work week, the standard norm is 8 hours per day.
Night work
Pay for each hour of night work is subject to additional regulations. Drivers working at night must be given adequate breaks and recovery time.
Employer's responsibilities
The employer is responsible for the driver's proper working time schedule. It must ensure compliance with working time regulations, taking into account:
- Daily and weekly driving time
- Required breaks
- Daily and weekly rest
- Restrictions on night work
Consequences of exceeding standards
Violations of driver working time regulations can result in serious consequences. That is why it is so important to comply with all regulations and keep accurate records.
Planning routes and schedules
Proper route planning is crucial to compliance with working time regulations. At Slawa Trans, we pay special attention to the optimal scheduling of our drivers' working hours, ensuring that they have the right conditions to perform their duties safely.
Our company offers comprehensive transportation support, taking care to comply with all standards and regulations. Many years of experience allow us to effectively manage the working time of drivers, ensuring the highest quality of transport services.
From a truck driver's working time perspective, it is crucial to understand and comply with all regulations. From the moment you start work for the day until the end of the day, every minute must comply with the regulations.
As a professional transportation company, Slawa Trans guarantees full compliance with driver working time regulations, ensuring safe and efficient transportation. We invite you to cooperate with us and benefit from our experience in the transportation industry.
Specific rules for work breaks
The driver's working time requires precise planning of breaks. After 4.5 hours of driving, the driver is entitled to a mandatory break of at least 45 minutes. It can be divided into two parts, with the first part lasting a minimum of 15 minutes and the second a minimum of 30 minutes. This is particularly important in terms of road safety and driver efficiency.
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Practical aspects of working time planning
The daily working time of a professional driver requires careful planning. In practice, this means that from the beginning to the end of work, the driver must take into account:
- Time required to prepare the vehicle
- Driving time and other work
- Required breaks
- Time for documentation
- Unforeseen circumstances
At Slawa Trans, we provide our drivers with optimal working conditions and support in route planning.
Exceptions to standard working time norms
The Law on Working Hours of Drivers provides for certain exceptions to the standard norms. In special cases, a driver may extend driving time, but this requires that certain conditions be met. The daily extended hours must be in accordance with the driver's work schedule and safety regulations.
Advanced monitoring systems
Modern driver time monitoring systems make compliance with regulations much easier. In our company we use advanced technological solutions that allow:
- Precise tracking of driving time
- Automatic warnings of approaching limits
- Planning optimal routes
- Rest monitoring
Impact of regulation on transport safety
Compliance with driver working time standards has a direct impact on transportation safety. Truck drivers who work in accordance with regulations are more rested and focused. At Slawa Trans, safety is our top priority, so we strictly adhere to all working time regulations.
Learn about our safety standards
Management of working time records
Driver time records require meticulous record-keeping. Every minute of a driver's work must be properly recorded and stored. This includes:
- Tachograph records
- Driver's cards
- Time records
- Documentation of breaks and rest periods
Specifics of international transport
In international road transport, driver working time is subject to additional regulations. Drivers employed in international transport must take into account:
- Differences in regulations between countries
- Longer rest periods
- Specific documentation requirements
- Planning stops in different time zones
Optimization of working time
At Slawa Trans, we are constantly working to optimize the working time of our drivers. We use modern scheduling tools that allow us to:
- Effective route planning
- Minimize empty runs
- Optimal use of working time
- Provide the required rests
Support for drivers
Our drivers can count on full support in planning and execution of working time. We provide:
- Regulatory training
- Advice on route planning
- Emergency assistance
- Constant contact with the logistics center
The future of working time regulation
Driver working time regulations are constantly evolving, adapting to changing market and technological conditions. As a professional transport company, Slawa Trans keeps abreast of all changes and adapts its procedures to new requirements.
In summary, proper driver time management is a key element of safe and efficient transportation. Our company guarantees full compliance with regulations while maintaining high quality transportation services. We invite you to cooperate with us and benefit from our experience in the industry.
