1. Stricter Driving Hour Limits

Drivers operating affected vehicles must now follow stricter driving time regulations.

This includes:

• Maximum of 9 hours driving per day
• Up to 10 hours twice each week
• Maximum of 56 driving hours per week
• No more than 90 hours over two consecutive weeks

These limits are designed to reduce fatigue and improve road safety across European roads.

2. Mandatory Driver Breaks

Drivers must now take regular rest breaks during long journeys.

The rules require:

• A 45 minute break after every 4.5 hours of driving
• This can be split into a 15 minute break followed by a 30 minute break

These mandatory breaks help ensure drivers remain alert while transporting goods internationally.

3. Daily and Weekly Rest Periods

Drivers must also take compulsory daily and weekly rest periods.

Generally, this means:

• At least 11 hours of daily rest
• A regular 45 hour weekly rest period

These requirements help improve driver welfare while maintaining safe transport operations.

4. Smart Tachographs Become More Important

Another significant change is the wider use of second generation Smart Tachographs (G2V2).

These digital devices automatically record:

• Driving time
• Breaks
• Rest periods
• Vehicle movements
• Border crossings

By automatically recording journey information, Smart Tachographs make compliance easier and help enforcement authorities monitor international transport more effectively.