Why does driving time matter in logistics?
Driving time limits protect drivers from fatigue and reduce the risk of accidents on the road. Breaching the limits can result in fines for both the driver and the carrier, and in serious cases, the vehicle can be stopped. From 1 July 2026, the rules apply to light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes in international transport, so more van operators need to plan routes and rest periods around these limits.
How does driving time work in logistics?
The driver’s activity is recorded by the tachograph whenever the vehicle is moving or the driver is working. Driving periods are tracked against daily and weekly maximums, and a break must be taken after a set period of continuous driving. Rest periods must be taken at the required intervals, and they can be reduced or split under certain conditions. Carriers plan routes, schedules and relief drivers so that each shift stays within the permitted driving time.
Transport types that are subject to driving time rules
- International road freight with heavy goods vehicles
- Van operations between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes (from 1 July 2026)
- Full truckload (FTL) transport
- Cross-border express and van delivery
- Pallet and groupage transport across borders
Example in practice
A van driver based in Nantes, France is assigned a cross-border delivery from Nantes to Barcelona, Spain, using a 3.5-tonne van. The route is about 1,000 kilometres and takes around 11 hours of driving, so the schedule includes a mandatory break after four and a half hours of continuous driving and a daily rest period before the return journey. The driver’s card and the tachograph record each break and the driving time through France and into Spain. The carrier arranges an overnight stop in Bordeaux, so the driver completes the trip within the permitted limits, and the van arrives in Barcelona the next afternoon.