Breaks from driving (again)

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

Hi Guys,

My first post - so go easy with me.

I have been reading through hundreds and hundreds of posts, threads and pages over the last few weeks and now finally feel the need to join in.

I have read with interest threads regarding breaks from driving - which i thought I fully understood but something I read somewhere (and now can’t find again) has caused me to question my own sanity.

We all know (I think) that AFTER 4.5 hours driving we have to take 45 minutes break and that this can be AFTER the driving - so can be at the end of the driving period.

What has me worried now is I seem to have read that if the break is split - I know the first part MUST be at least 15 minutes and the second part MUST be at least 30 minutes … BUT I have read somewhere that if a split break is used it must be DURING the driving period or spread over the driving period

I have pondered and pondered on this and … and I’ve just got myself all confused. :blush:

Can I drive for 2 hours - take 15 minute break - drive for 2.5 hours take 30 minute break? or do both parts of the break have to be WITHIN the driving period?

Even now as I am typing this it seems like a dumb question becasue it doesn’t make sense … I just wish I could find the post that has made me question my understanding of the rules.

Any help much appreciated and the drinks are on me

Pete

2

ex_reme_mech:
Can I drive for 2 hours - take 15 minute break - drive for 2.5 hours take 30 minute break?

Yes. You can take the first part before you reach 4.5 hours and the second part at 4.5 hours.

You could also take 15 minutes after 2 hours and 30 minutes after another 2 hours at which point the 4.5 hour clock is reset and you could then drive for another 4.5 hours before needing your next break.

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Thank you very much for the speedy reply.

I knew this - and have known this since the rules changed, but managed to convince myself I had interpreted something wrong and I was starting to panick.

I think it may be the terminology in the GV262 - “These breaks must be distributed over the 4.5-hour period” and then I saw that repeated on here somewhere. But there again the example then given in the GV262 is as per my post - so it seems to conflict.

I think I’m happy now. I’ll go back to reading all the other posts.

Cheers
Pete