Truck Driving and Rest Periods: All Rules in 2026

A truck driver is not allowed to drive indefinitely. Truck driving and rest period rules determine exactly how many hours may be driven and when rest is mandatory. These rules apply to every driver transporting goods within the European Union using a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes, and from July 1, 2026, also to light commercial vehicles from 2,500 kg operating internationally. For transport companies, knowledge of this legislation is indispensable. An infringement results in a fine for both the driver and the employer.

In this blog, you will read what the driving time regulations entail, which standards apply to driving and rest periods, what will change as of 2026 due to the smart tachograph and the Mobility Package, and how EASY Road Transport can support you in this.

What are truck driving and rest periods?

Driving time is the time during which a driver is actually behind the wheel and operating the vehicle. Rest period is the duration during which the driver may not work and does not have to be available to the employer. Together, driving and rest periods form the core of European safety rules for professional road haulage. The legislation focuses on two goals: preventing fatigue behind the wheel and ensuring fair competition between transport companies. Drivers who continue for too long pose a risk to themselves and other road users.

Truck rest periods: why do these rules apply?

The rules for truck rest periods have existed since 2007 and are laid down in Regulation (EC) 561/2006. Before that time, drivers could continue driving for too long under pressure from planning and deadlines. Fatigue is a major cause of accidents in freight traffic. By building in mandatory rest and breaks, a driver remains more alert behind the wheel. The rules therefore protect both the driver and other road users on the motorway.

Driving time regulations and truck rest periods in the Netherlands and Europe

In the Netherlands, European legislation has been adopted in the ‘Arbeidstijdenbesluit vervoer’ (Transport Working Hours Decree). In practice, this law is often referred to as the driving time regulations, and in 2026, that term refers to the most current version of the rules. The driving time regulations actually consist of three parts: maximum driving time, mandatory breaks, and minimum rest periods. Since the tightening of rules on December 31, 2024, drivers must be able to show data from the past 56 days during a roadside check. As of July 1, 2026, a further change will be added, which is discussed later in this blog. More background on these regulations can be found on the website of the Dutch Government.

Daily driving time of 9 hours, with an exception up to 10 hours

The daily driving time of 9 hours is the standard for every driver. An extension to 10 hours is permitted twice a week. On the other working days in that same week, the normal limit of 9 hours applies again. Uninterrupted driving time has a separate maximum: after 4.5 hours of driving, a break is mandatory. This limit is separate from the total daily driving time and must always be observed.

Weekly and fortnightly driving time

In addition to the daily limit, weekly limits also apply. The weekly driving time of 56 hours must never be exceeded. Furthermore, over a period of two consecutive weeks, the fortnightly driving time of 90 hours applies as an absolute maximum. This rule prevents a driver from driving very little in one week and then making up the difference with too many hours in the next. Transport planners take this into account when scheduling trips.

Daily truck rest period: how many hours of rest are mandatory?

The daily truck rest period normally amounts to 11 consecutive hours. This daily rest period of 11 hours may be split into two parts: first at least 3 hours and then at least 9 hours. Three times between two weekly rest periods, the daily rest may be reduced to 9 hours. This reduction does not need to be compensated, unlike the weekly rest. Drivers operating in two-person crews are subject to different rules for daily rest.

Are you unsure whether your planning allows enough room for the mandatory rest periods? Our planners build every trip around the legal driving and rest periods, even if a route falls just within the margins of a reduced rest period. Calculate your rate →

Weekly rest period of 45 consecutive hours

The weekly rest period is, in principle, 45 uninterrupted hours. This rest gives the driver the chance to truly recover from a working week. Once every two weeks, this rest may be reduced. In the case of a reduced weekly rest, the minimum duration drops to 24 hours. The difference from the normal 45 hours must then be compensated within three weeks, following another rest period. For example, if a driver takes 30 hours of rest instead of 45, then 15 hours of extra rest must be scheduled in the following weeks.

Breaks during driving and the 45-minute rule

In addition to daily and weekly rest, there are also rules for breaks during driving. After 4.5 hours of driving, a 45-minute break is mandatory. This break may be split into two parts. The first block lasts at least 15 minutes, the second at least 30 minutes. Different arrangements apply to double-crewed trucks, as the second driver can take over the driving without the vehicle coming to a standstill.

EU driving and rest periods according to Regulation (EC) 561/2006 and AETR

The EU driving and rest period rules are laid down in Regulation (EC) 561/2006. This regulation applies to all trips within the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Outside this area, the rules of the AETR (the European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road Transport) often apply. Most AETR provisions correspond to the EU rules, although some deviations exist per country. Drivers heading to Turkey or Ukraine, for example, would do well to know these differences before they depart.

Tachograph, ILT, and the smart tachograph obligation

Every truck over 3.5 tonnes must be equipped with a tachograph. This device automatically records the driving time, rest period, speed, and location of the vehicle. Since August 19, 2025, for internationally operating trucks, this must be the smart tachograph 2: a second-generation smart tachograph that enables extra monitoring via satellite positioning and automatic border registration. From December 24, 2025, a reinforced version with extra security applies to newly registered vehicles. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, abbreviated as ILT, uses this data for inspections. This is how the ILT checks whether drivers and transport companies are complying with the rules. More information about these inspections can be found on the website of the ILT. Furthermore, the rules regarding driving and rest periods are constantly being revised within the European Mobility Package. The European Emissions Trading System (ETS) also increasingly affects the sector, though that system concerns fuel costs rather than driving times.

What changes as of July 1, 2026? Expansion to light commercial vehicles

The Mobility Package introduces a significant expansion as of July 1, 2026. Until that date, the driving and rest period rules only applied to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. From July 1, 2026, light commercial vehicles from 2,500 kg maximum authorized mass will also fall under Regulation (EC) 561/2006 as soon as they operate internationally or perform cabotage. Think of vans transporting parcels or pallets across borders. From that moment on, these vehicles must be equipped with a smart tachograph 2, and the drivers must adhere to the same driving time, break, and rest standards as truck drivers. Do you operate vans between the Netherlands and abroad? Then this is the time to check whether your fleet already meets the new requirements. The full scope of the regulation is described in the official EU legislation.

Exceptions to truck rest periods for home return, ferry, and fly-in-fly-out

Not every situation fits within the standard rules. Therefore, some exceptions to truck rest period legislation exist. The home return rule obliges a transport company to organize the work accordingly: a driver must be able to return to their place of residence or operational base at least once every four weeks. The ferry exception makes it possible to interrupt the daily rest for a ferry crossing, provided the driver has access to a sleeper cabin. In fly-in-fly-out arrangements, drivers work a consecutive period abroad and then travel home. Adjusted rules regarding rest time and home return also apply to this construction.

Fines for infringement of truck rest periods

An infringement of the rules for truck rest periods can be expensive. The amount of the fine depends on the type of infringement and the country in which the inspection takes place. The current fine amount varies per year and can be found on the websites of the ILT and the Dutch Government. It is not just the driver who is liable for the fine; the employer and sometimes the planner can also be held responsible. This happens if it appears that the planning structurally builds in too little rest. Good planning and regular checks of tachograph data prevent unnecessary costs.

Do you want to know what compliance with the driving time regulations means for your transport costs? Planning that takes driving and rest periods into account from the start prevents fines and delays later on. Calculate your rate →

EASY Road Transport and truck driving and rest periods

At EASY Road Transport, we plan every trip within the limits of the driving time regulations, including the tightenings that take effect on July 1, 2026. Our EASY Roaders know the rules for driving time, rest periods, and breaks and take these into account with every planning, even on long international routes. For large loads that utilize the full payload of a truck, we provide FTL transport throughout Europe. Our drivers strictly observe driving and rest periods, ensuring your shipment arrives on time without unnecessary delays due to mandatory rest breaks.

Do you have questions about your planning, your fleet, or the applicable driving and rest periods in 2026? Then contact our EASY Roaders. We are happy to think along with you.

Frequently asked questions about truck rest periods