New EU Law for Commercial Drivers

  • Posted

On the 20th August 2020, a number of changes came into force affecting Drivers’ Hours and tachographs.  Many commercial agricultural haulage companies will be affected by Regulation (EU) 2020/0154 which has brought into force the following changes.

No regular weekly rests to be taken in cabs
Regular weekly rest periods of more than 45 hours taken in compensation for previous reduced weekly rest periods may not be taken in a vehicle. Instead, they must be taken in accommodation with sleeping and sanitary facilities which is to be paid for by the employer.

Return to base
Logistic operations must now plan Drivers’ routes in such a way that they are able to return to their base and where their weekly rest period begins within each period of four consecutive weeks, in order to spend at least one regular weekly rest period at home or base etc.  Time that is spent in travel to or from a vehicle cannot be recorded as rest except when the vehicle is at the base or at a Driver’s home.

Rest Periods
The rest periods remain the same under the new Directive: in any two consecutive weeks a driver must take at least two regular weekly rest periods; or one regular weekly rest period and one reduced weekly rest period of at least 24 hours.  A weekly rest period must still start no later than at the end of six 24-hour periods from the end of the previous weekly rest period. Any deduction must still be compensated for by an equivalent period of rest taken before the end of the third week.

Further advice

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article, please get in touch with our Employment Law Solicitor Sasha Brine by calling 07475069698