Enforcing driving and rest times is of great importance for the well-being of drivers, road safety and a level playing field between transport companies. For these reasons, the ILT and the police enforce driving and rest times. The starting point for enforcing driving and rest times is the European regulation on driving and rest times (561/2006). In a letter to the House of Representatives, the Minister of Nieuwenhuizen states that this regulation requires the normal weekly 45-hour rest outside the vehicle. In addition, the regulation requires that any costs for the stay outside the vehicle must be covered by the employer.
impose an order to cease work
The ILT can impose an order to cease work in various situations. This is possible, for example, when it is noticed during a check that a driver is driving too long. This means that the driver is not allowed to continue driving. Even if the ILT cannot find out during an inspection how long the driver has already driven, an obligation of 8 hours rest can be imposed with immediate effect on the basis of Article 2: 45, paragraph XNUMX of the Working Hours Act. Finally, if a faulty tachograph is found, the entire truck can be prevented from participating in traffic until the tachograph is functioning normally again.
Increasing the fine for weekly rest in the vehicle. It is important for the peace and well-being of drivers that it is taken into account in the planning that drivers do not sleep in the cab for the weekly rest. If the ILT finds that the weekly rest is wrongly taken in the vehicle, no order to cease work can be imposed. In fact, the driver is not working at that time, but
resting. In such a situation, the ILT imposes a fine of € 1.500 on the transport company.
Given the importance of a good weekly rest for the driver and for road safety, the ILT will double the fine for companies that, after the first fine of € 1500, again violate this rule. When it is established that a second weekly rest in the vehicle is enjoyed at the same transport company, the fine is therefore increased to € 3.000. Compliance with driving and rest time regulations contributes to the driver's well-being and road safety. This measure has taken another step towards greater driver well-being and road safety.
Also read: Enforcement of driving and rest times for road transport will be tightened
