Bit confused about breaks

ASK THE EXPERTS SAFETY, LAW AND WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE FORUM (INTE
1

I know, typical question.

I know its 4 and a half hours driving and you have to have a break of 45 minuets. Im just wondering, If I do 4 hrs driving, is it possible to have 2hrs other work not behind the wheel and have a 45 minuet break before I start driving again?

So like, as long as im not doing 4 and a half hour driving, I could do a combination of the two to get to six hours before a break or something?

Got screwed up today. Took a wrong turn so took a 20 minuet detour, made sure I didnt go over 4 hours driving, but I have about an hour other work.

See I started at 7am, didnt start the engine till 7.15. Took 5 mins to fill up and then 30 mins to get to my loading point as I took a wrong turn. Set the tacho on available as I just sat there, apart from 5 minuets shunting. So I only did about 40 minuets driving at first and 5mins other work. Had to go back to my depot which took 10 minuets to get back from my loading point taking the right way, and spent fifteen minuets at the garage. So thats 50 minuets driving and 20 minuets other work.

I then drove to hull which took just over 2 hours 10. So basically, got loaded up at 9.40, 9.50am I got back to depot to get my bulb sorted which took 15 minuets, then 2hrs 30 mins to my destination in Hull. So from about ten past 10 I set off, I pulled up at my destination and had a half hour break at exactly 12:37pm because my unloaders were on dinner break.

Was that ok to do? It was a total of 4hrs driving, and about 35 minuets other work. I never exceeded 4.5hrs driving before the break.

After my load was unloaded, I then had another 32 mins break because I know your first break must be 15mins minimum, and your second 30 mins minimum.

So in a nutshel, what is the allowed combined time of other work + driving hours, and Can you take a break before 4hrs 30 mins of driving + whatever other work you have so long as it doesnt equal six hours, so my 45 mins break resets the 4.5hr driving. Bet thats confused everyone. Basically Am I allowed to take a break earlier than meeting 4.5hrs driving, so I can go and do another 4.5hrs driving if required. i did a 7am-5.45pm. about 8hours ish driving, an hour available whilst being loaded, 45 mins other work and two 30 min breaks.

2

If you’re driving in-scope of EU regulations once you’ve reached 4½ hours driving time you should have the 45 minute break, you are not allowed to continue with other work.

You can do 4 hours driving and 2 hours other work then have a break of 15 minutes (6 hour rule) then drive for another 30 minutes then have a 30 minute break which would complete the 45 minute split driving break, but you must have completed a 45 minute break before exceeding 4½ hours driving time.

andrew1990:
Can you take a break before 4hrs 30 mins of driving + whatever other work you have so long as it doesnt equal six hours, so my 45 mins break resets the 4.5hr driving

Yes that’s fine, you can have the break any-time before reaching 4½ hours driving or 6 hours working time but remember that whenever you have a 45 minute break it will reset your driving time.

You can work your nuts off loading for 1½ hours then drive in an exhausted state for 4½ hours before having a break, but you cannot legally drive for 4½ hours then do 5 minutes paperwork … crazy isn’t it :unamused: :wink:

3

But in reality who drives for 4.30 anyway as its cutting it fine, I personally don’t like getting to far past 4 hrs . Although I remember stopping on 4.29 once before.

4

phew. I always break before the allotted time to cover it.

I love having the regulations making you break every 4.5hrs and after 9hrs I can drive my car until i cant keep my eyes open.

I dont know whats more dangerous sometimes, speed restricted tanks or cars which do over double the speeds. surely cars should have tachos.