EC Regulation 561/2006

Regulation (EC) 561/2006 is the cornerstone of social legislation for road transport in the European Union. It directly lays out the specific, legally binding rules that drivers and transport companies must follow. Its primary goal is to prevent driver fatigue, thereby improving road safety and ensuring fair competition.

The main rules

The most critical rules established by this regulation are:

• A maximum of 9 hours of daily driving, extendable to 10 hours twice a week.
• A maximum of 56 hours of weekly driving and 90 hours over two consecutive weeks.
• A mandatory break of at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving.
• Rules for daily and weekly rest periods, including definitions for 'regular' and 'reduced' rest.

Who it applies to

This regulation applies to most commercial road transport of goods (for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes) and passengers. All activities are recorded by the tachograph, and compliance with this regulation is the main focus of roadside checks and company inspections.