Regular and reduced weekly rest (Reg. 561/2006)
CABINA Editorial Team
What Regulation (CE) 561/2006 says about weekly rest: 45 hours for the regular one, at least 24 for the reduced one, how it is compensated and where it is taken.
Machine translation, not verified [NV].
Drivers’ weekly rest takes two forms in Regulation (CE) 561/2006: the regular one, of at least 45 hours, and the reduced one, of less than 45 hours but with a minimum of 24 consecutive hours [V].
These driving and rest time rules are in Regulation (CE) 561/2006 [V].
The definitions
Rest is the period during which the driver “may freely dispose of his time” (art. 4, point h) [V]. The week runs from 00:00 on Monday to 24:00 on Sunday (art. 4, point i) [V].
How often
In any two consecutive weeks the driver must take at least two regular weekly rest periods, or one regular and one reduced of at least 24 hours (art. 8, para. 6) [V]. Weekly rest starts no later than at the end of six periods of 24 hours from the end of the previous weekly rest [V].
Drivers in international goods transport may take two consecutive reduced rests outside the Member State of establishment, provided that in any four consecutive weeks they take at least four weekly rests, of which at least two regular [V].
How it is compensated
The reduction must be compensated by an equivalent rest taken en bloc before the end of the third week following (art. 8, para. 6b) [V]. The compensation is attached to another rest of at least 9 hours (art. 8, para. 7) [V].
If a rest falls across two weeks, it may be counted in either of them, but not in both (art. 8, para. 9) [V].
Where it is taken
Regular weekly rests and those of more than 45 hours taken as compensation are not taken in the vehicle, but in suitable gender-friendly accommodation with adequate sleeping and sanitary facilities. The costs of accommodation outside the vehicle are covered by the employer (art. 8, para. 8) [V].
As for reduced weekly rest and accommodation: the source read only addresses regular rests and compensation rests of more than 45 hours; any other interpretation remains to be verified [NV].
The consolidated text is only a documentation tool. This article does not cover exceptions or specific cases.
Base Spanish not verified by a native speaker [NV].
CABINA Editorial Team
Sources
- Publications Office of the EU, Regulation (CE) 561/2006, consolidated text at 31/12/2024: https://publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/8c19a9e9-bcb1-11ef-91ed-01aa75ed71a1.0014.02/DOC_1, consulted on 27/10/2026 [V].
Informational content, not advice. Always check the text of the source given; for your own case, consult a professional or the competent authority.