Weekly rest rules are one of the most misunderstood parts of EU and UK driver hours.
Many drivers think taking a weekly rest “resets the week”.
It doesn’t.
What weekly rest actually is
Weekly rest is a long rest period required after a certain amount of work.
It protects recovery — not legal limits.
Types of weekly rest (regular and reduced)
There are two types of weekly rest under EU and UK driver hours rules.
They serve the same recovery purpose, but they are not equal in duration or conditions.
Regular weekly rest
A regular weekly rest must be at least 45 consecutive hours.
This is the standard form of weekly rest and can be taken at the end of any fixed week.
No compensation is required.
Reduced weekly rest
A reduced weekly rest must be at least 24 hours, but less than 45 hours.
It may be taken only every second fixed week.
Any reduction must be compensated by an equivalent amount of rest taken in one block before the end of the third following week.
Exception: two reduced weekly rests in a row (ferry / train)
In limited cross-border situations, two consecutive reduced weekly rests are allowed.
This applies only when:
- the driver is on an international journey,
- the rests are taken on a ferry or train, and
- suitable sleeping facilities are available.
Reduced weekly rest – important clarification
You may take two reduced weekly rests in a row,
but only if they are followed by a regular weekly rest (45h).
Both reduced weekly rests must be compensated.
The compensation:
- must be added to a rest of at least 45 hours
- must be completed by the end of the third week following the week of the FIRST reduced weekly rest
⚠️ The deadline is not counted from the second reduced rest.
After the second reduced weekly rest:
compensation for both reduced rests must be taken together
a regular weekly rest is mandatory
This exception does not apply to normal road transport operations.
Coach driver exception: 12-day rule
International coach (passenger transport) drivers may operate under a special derogation.
Under the 12-day rule, a coach driver may:
- postpone the weekly rest for up to 12 consecutive 24-hour periods
- only in international passenger transport
- only with proper records and conditions met
After the 12-day period, a full weekly rest must be taken.
This derogation does not apply to goods vehicles.
What weekly rest does NOT reset
A tachograph does not care when you rest.
It only cares where the fixed week boundary falls.
Weekly rest does NOT reset:
- daily driving limits
- weekly driving limits
- fortnightly driving limits
- the fixed week
Only Monday 00:00 (fixed week reset) does.
In short
- Weekly rest does not reset weekly or fortnightly driving limits
- It does not create a “new week”
- Driving limits follow the fixed week boundary
- Reduced weekly rest affects rest compensation, not driving totals
- Confusing rest with limits causes most infringements
Need help with your tachograph data?
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