Regulation (EC) 561/2006 sets the limits: a break after 4.5 h, daily driving time 9 h, weekly 56 h and daily rest 11 h. Here are the rules and the most important exceptions.
Introduction
Passenger transport in a vehicle designed for more than 9 people including the driver is covered by the EU driving- and rest-time rules — the same set of rules as for trucks. The rules are laid down in Regulation (EC) 561/2006 (amended by 2020/1054), and the tachograph is governed by Regulation (EU) 165/2014.
The limits
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Uninterrupted driving time before a break | 4.5 hours |
| Break after 4.5 h | 45 min continuous (can be split 15 + 30 min) |
| Daily driving time | 9 h — extended to 10 h no more than 2 times/week |
| Weekly driving time | Max. 56 hours |
| Over 2 consecutive weeks | Max. 90 hours |
| Daily rest | 11 h — reduced to 9 h no more than 3 times between two weekly rests |
| Weekly rest | At least 45 h — reduced to 24 h (with compensation within 3 weeks) |
The four activities — and how they are recorded
The regulations distinguish between four types of time, and the tachograph must have the correct symbol selected for each of them. If you mix them up, the authorities will count them against you at inspection. Switching between symbols is done manually on the tachograph (except for the actual driving, which is recorded automatically when the bus is moving).
- 01Driving (steering wheel symbol) — all time the bus is moving. Counted towards driving time and starts the 4.5-hour timer.
- 02Other work (hammer/cross symbol) — refuelling, departure check, cleaning, ticketing, loading and unloading baggage, assistance to passengers. Is working time, but not driving time — and does NOT count as a break.
- 03Standby time (square symbol) — waiting time you know in advance, e.g. ferry crossing or waiting time while another driver drives (double manning). Can count as break/rest under certain conditions.
- 04Break/rest (bed/line symbol) — time when you freely control your time and do not work. Only this time resets the 4.5-hour clock.
Shared daily rest and rest in vehicle
The daily rest of 11 hours can be taken as one continuous stretch or divided into two: first at least 3 hours, then at least 9 hours — in total at least 12 hours when the rest is divided (art. 4 and 8 in 561/2006). This makes room for e.g. a long stopover in the middle of the day. The daily rest (and a reduced weekly rest) may be taken in the vehicle, provided the bus stands still and has suitable sleeping cabin. The regular weekly rest of 45 hours, however, must not be taken in the vehicle — it must be taken outside the bus, and the operator must cover the accommodation (2020/1054).
Double manning (multi-manning)
With double manning there are at least two drivers in the bus to drive in each driving period. Then a more lenient rest rule applies: the daily rest of at least 9 hours only needs to be maintained within 30 hours after a daily or weekly rest ended — against normally 24 hours for a single driver. The time when one driver sits beside and the other drives can count as availability time (the first hour is however not availability time if the driver actively assists). Double manning is typically used on long coach tours.
Ferry and train exception (art. 9, para. 1)
A bus-relevant exemption applies when the driver accompanies the bus on a ferry or train — for example, a tour bus on the ferry to Germany or Norway, or on an auto train. Here, a regular daily rest (and a reduced weekly rest) may be interrupted by other activity without the rest losing its status as rest. The conditions are strict: the interruption may happen at most twice, the total interruption must be as short as possible and under 1 hour in total, and the driver must have access to a bunk or sleeping berth (sleeper cabin) during the crossing. This makes it possible to drive on board, take part of your rest during the journey, and drive off, without losing the entire rest period.
| Ratio | Rule (art. 9, sec. 1) |
|---|---|
| Applies | Driver accompanies the bus on ferry or train |
| May be interrupted | Regular daily rest (and reduced weekly rest) |
| Number of interruptions | Maximum 2 times of other activity |
| Total duration | As short as possible, under 1 hour total |
| Requirement | Access to bunk/lying space (sleeping cabin, bunk or lying wagon) |
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