Driving and Rest Times for Transporters

Road transport by carriers in the Netherlands is regulated by the driving times law. Violations of prescribed working, driving, and rest times result in substantial fines. The golden rule: maximize driving times, minimize rest times.

Driving Times

Daily Driving Time

Maximum 9 hours per day. Can be extended to 10 hours twice per week. Week = Monday 00:00 to Sunday 23:59.

Weekly and Bi-weekly Driving Time

Maximum 56 hours per week. Maximum 90 hours bi-weekly (14 calendar days). If you drive 56 hours one week, you can only drive 34 hours the next week.

Rest Times

Breaks

After every 4.5 hours of driving, a minimum of 45 minutes break is required. Can be split: first part minimum 15 minutes, second part minimum 30 minutes. The order is mandatory (first 15, then 30 - not reversed).

Daily Rest

Minimum 11 consecutive hours per 24 hours. Can be split into 3 hours + 9 hours. Three times per week, daily rest can be reduced to 9 hours. Daily rest must be taken within 24 hours of starting duty.

Weekly and Bi-weekly Rest

Every 14 days, minimum two regular weekly rest periods, or one regular and one reduced. Regular weekly rest = 45 hours. Reduced weekly rest = minimum 24 hours. The difference must be made up within 3 weeks consecutively, after a rest period of minimum 9 hours.

Mobility Package Weekly Rest Abroad

Abroad, a reduced weekly rest of minimum 24 hours is permitted for 2 consecutive weeks. In 4 weeks, also 2 regular weekly rest periods of 45 hours. The reduced hours must be compensated during the next regular weekly rest period. Example:

• Week 1: 24 hours rest
• Week 2: 24 hours rest
• Week 3: 45 + 13 + 13 = minimum 71 hours rest
• Week 4: 45 hours rest

How Roadsoft Helps

Roadsoft provides user-friendly tachograph software and advanced reading equipment to remind drivers of legal requirements. The software immediately shows which violations are being made.