ROAD TRANSPORT : CLARIFICATIONS ON DRIVING TIMES AND REST PERIODS.

• Position: Brief article

Regulation 561/2006 on driving times and rest periods for drivers of road haulage and passenger transport vehicles comprises a number of provisions whose interpretation can be confusing, which is at the very least impeding when drivers are subjected to checks. In order to clarify things and avoid differing interpretations in member states, a clause provides that the European Commission facilitates dialogue between states on the interpretation and application of the regulation. It has thus established a working group and, on 20 December, published four guidance notes intended to clarify to workers what is permissible or not in terms of the regulation and to allow the authorities in charge to carry out their responsibilities with full knowledge of all the facts.

The Commission, therefore, clearly defines when can time spent travelling be considered as a rest period' or a break' under the regulation, or under which circumstances the...