Temporary exemptions from rest and driving times for transports in the context of relief for heavy weather damages in Germany

Against the background of the severe damage due to weather events in German regions Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, the German Ministry of Transport (BMVI) decided to introduce exemptions from the restrictions concerning rest and driving times, exclusively for transports that are in the context of relief / elimination of the consequences of severe weather damage, up to and including 01.08.2021 (see copy of decree attached).

For the a.m. transports, exemptions are as follows:

-         The daily driving time may be extended no more than five times a week to a maximum of 10 hours.

-        The weekly driving time may not exceed 59 hours. Article 6(3) applies unchanged.

-         A driver may take two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods, provided that the driver takes at least four weekly rest periods in each of four consecutive weeks, of which at least two must be regular weekly rest periods. Any reduction in the weekly rest period shall be compensated by an equivalent rest period to be taken without interruption before the end of the third week following the week in question. If two reduced weekly rest periods have been taken in succession, the next rest period - as compensation for these two reduced weekly rest periods - shall be taken before the following weekly rest period.

The a.m. exemptions may only be used on the condition that their use does not affect traffic safety. In particular, before starting a journey, it must be checked whether the driver is capable of carrying out the intended transport.

Source: BGL