Driving and rest times for bus drivers

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Why are driving and rest times important?

Rest and driving times for bus drivers are an important aspect of the day-to-day work of this professional group. They not only serve the safety of passengers, but also the well-being and performance of the drivers themselves. In previous Buswelt articles, we have already taken a closer look at the becoming a bus driver and the current bus driver salary in more detail. In this guide, we take a closer look at the importance of driving and rest times and give you valuable tips on how you can make the most of these times. We also provide information on the exceptions that exist in the law and the consequences of non-compliance with driving and rest times for bus drivers.

Driving and rest periods serve the safety of passengers. Sufficient breaks and rest periods allow drivers to recover and get back behind the wheel again. Fatigue and overwork can be avoided, which has a positive effect on drivers' concentration and alertness. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents, as sleep deprivation is a serious problem among professional drivers.

Compliance with driving and rest times plays a crucial role in the safety of bus drivers and their passengers. It is essential that the legal requirements are strictly adhered to and that these times are carefully planned to ensure the safety of both drivers and other road users.

Driving and rest periods can be very challenging for bus drivers. Long routes, time pressure and unforeseen traffic situations can lead to drivers being tempted to circumvent the regulations. However, this can have serious consequences, both for the safety of passengers, the bus driver and the company itself. It is therefore important to recognize these challenges and develop solutions to ensure compliance with the times.

By taking adequate rest breaks and limiting driving times, bus drivers can ensure their safety and that of their passengers. A good work-life balance is very important for the performance and well-being of drivers. At agt, we attach great importance to offering our bus drivers the best conditions for a safe and restful journey. As a mobility service provider, it is our responsibility to provide them with optimal working conditions.

The legal requirements regarding driving times and rest periods for bus drivers are strictly regulated. These regulations stipulate how long a bus driver may drive at a stretch and how long the rest breaks must be. They apply to all vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of more than 3.5 tons. There is a further provision for buses: the driving and rest periods only apply if they are suitable for transporting more than nine people. Compliance with these rules is of great importance to ensure road safety.

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Driving times and rest periods are essential for the safety and performance of bus drivers and play a decisive role in preventing fatigue and accidents.

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What are the differences between driving times, weekly driving times and rest periods?

It is important to understand the difference between driving times and rest periods. Driving times refer to the actual time a bus driver is at the wheel and driving the vehicle. Rest periods, on the other hand, are the periods during which the driver can recover from their work without being at the wheel. These types of time are equally important and should be carefully planned and adhered to.

Driving time is any time during which the vehicle is being driven. This also includes procedures such as waiting at traffic lights or in traffic jams. In comparison, driving breaks are when the bus driver has the opportunity to leave the bus. An example of a break would be at a rest stop, where the bus driver has the opportunity to leave his vehicle. The driving time may only be exceeded under certain exceptions. These are discussed in the rest of this guide.

According to the IHK, the daily driving time is "the total driving time between the end of a daily rest period and the start of the following daily rest period or between a daily and a weekly rest period." The normal daily driving time must not exceed 9 hours. A break of at least 45 minutes must be taken after a maximum of 4.5 hours. The breaks can also be split into 30 minutes and a 15-minute break. Since 2024, the 45-minute break may also be divided into two parts of at least 15 minutes.

The daily driving time is offset by the rest period. The IHK describes the rest period as "any interrupted period of at least one hour during which the driver can freely dispose of his time. Rest periods do not include periods of work or standby duty or periods spent in the cab of a moving vehicle, e.g. as a co-driver in the case of double occupancy. The bus driver must take a daily break within a 24-hour period.

Since 2024, at the start of the daily rest period with single passenger occasional services of at least six consecutive days, it can be taken once within a maximum 25-hour period (instead of a 24-hour period) after the end of the previous rest period. Twice for at least eight consecutive days.

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Good to know

Working Time Directive: The European Union's Working Time Directive lays down general rules for the organization of working time. It protects employees from excessive workloads and also regulates the driving and rest times of bus drivers.

Driving Personnel Ordinance: In Germany, the FPersV is the legal basis for the driving and rest times of bus drivers. It contains regulations on maximum driving times for bus drivers, minimum rest periods and breaks.

Driving and Rest Periods Ordinance: Or LRTV for short, supplements the FPersV and regulates the specific aspects of driving and rest periods. This includes, for example, the record-keeping obligations for drivers and employers.

Digital tachograph: The DTCO is an electronic device that is used in buses to automatically record driving and rest times. It is used to monitor and document legal regulations.

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What are the exceptions?

Exceeding driving times
As a rule, the daily driving time may not be exceeded. However, there are some exceptional cases in which the maximum driving time for bus drivers may be exceeded.

According to the IHK, the following cases are possible:

  • Danger (imminent spoilage of the goods, failure of heating or cooling)
  • Force majeure (traffic jams due to accidents, delays at borders, natural disasters)
  • Breakdown of the vehicle
  • No suitable parking space

12-day regulation
The 12-day rule can be applied if the journey takes more than 24 hours. This must be a journey abroad. Since 2024, however, this also applies to domestic journeys. Bus drivers only need to take a break after 12 days. The general driving and rest times for bus drivers must still be observed. If driving at night, a driving break must be taken after just 3 hours.

Reduction of the weekly rest period
It is generally possible for bus drivers to reduce their weekly rest period to at least 24 hours. However, one important rule must be observed. The normal weekly rest period of 45 hours must be observed for the previous week and the following week. In addition, the hours omitted must be compensated within a period of 45 hours.

Tips for complying with driving and rest times for bus drivers
There are a few tried-and-tested strategies to ensure that driving and rest periods for bus drivers can be optimally used and complied with:

Planning the routes:
Careful route planning helps to avoid unnecessary time pressure and to allow sufficient time for breaks. Technical aids such as cell phone apps, especially for driving and rest times, can help with this.

Use breaks properly:
Use the rest breaks to relax, stretch and eat something. A short recovery period can work wonders and increase concentration. A little exercise can combat tiredness or exhaustion and stimulate circulation.

Sleep hygiene:
Make sure you get good quality sleep in order to recover optimally during rest periods. A quiet place to sleep, sufficient darkness and a pleasant room temperature can help you feel refreshed.

Communicate with your employer:
Inform your employer of any difficulties in complying with the times. Solutions can be found together to ensure safety and compliance. Find out about the latest control requirements to stay up to date.

Use technology:
Modern technologies offer support in monitoring and complying with driving and rest times. Vehicle systems can, for example, provide drivers with information about their driving and rest times and remind them in good time of upcoming breaks.

Stay up to date:
Find out regularly about the latest updates to rest and driving times. Our PDF in the download area provides all the information about the new regulationsthat have applied since 2024. So you are always on the right side.

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Report misconduct

As soon as you become aware of incidents or business practices of AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH where you have doubts as to whether they are in accordance with the legal regulations, the Code of Conduct or other guidelines of AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH, you can report them now.

Not only the support of employees, but also the assistance of customers and business partners is of great importance. This is the only way to react immediately and avert or minimize damage. Ideally, the problem should be discussed directly and confidentially with a contact person at AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH. In this way, a solution can be found quickly and without detours.

However, there may be situations in which this direct route does not appear feasible. In such cases, a specialized legal ombudsman (lawyer of trust) has been set up as an internal and external reporting office at AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH. The information will be received confidentially. The reporting person can communicate openly with the ombudsman, stating their name and contact details. This makes it possible to ask questions about the facts of the case, which sometimes proves to be very helpful. If desired, however, the identity of the person making the report will not be disclosed.

If you do not wish to disclose your identity to the lawyer of confidence, you can submit information online and anonymously via the following whistleblower portal. Anonymous tips will also be investigated.

It is trusted that no information will be submitted with dishonest intent. False reports can have legal consequences. With the help of this reporting system, AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH ensures that every report is carefully checked and that the reporter does not suffer any disadvantages as a result.

The attorney of trust of AGT Bus- & Eventlogistik GmbH can be reached at the following contact details:

Compliance Officer Services Legal

Attorney Stephan Rheinwalt
Telemannstrafle 22
53173 Bonn
s.rheinwald@cos-legal.eu
Tel.: 0228/ 35036291
Mobile: 0171/7722906
Fax: 0228/ 35036292