Czech Republic – extension and specification of the exception to Regulation 561/2006

The exception is valid from 12:00 a.m. midnight on 15.4.2020 until 11:59 p.m. on 31.5.2020.

In the period from 12:00 a.m. midnight on 15.4.2020 until 23:59 p.m. on 31.5.2020, the Czech authorities will acknowledge and tolerate deviations from the rules for driving times and rest periods for lorry drivers caused by unexpected delays, in particular at border crossing points.

Granting of the temporary exception relating to Art. 14 (1) of Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006 shall relate to the following provisions:

Art. 6 (1): replacement of the maximum daily driving time from 9 hours to 11 hours;

Art. 6 (2): replacement of the maximum weekly driving time from 56 hours to 60 hours;

Art. 6 (3): replacement of the maximum total accumulated driving time during any two consecutive weeks from 90 hours to 100 hours;

Art. 8 (1): reduction of requirements for daily rest periods from 11 to 9 hours;

Art. 8 (6): deferral of the weekly rest period after a period of seven (instead of six) 24-hour periods from the end of the previous weekly rest period.

Art. 8 (8): possibility of regular weekly rest in the vehicle subject to it having suitable sleeping facilities for each driver and the vehicle being stationary.

Drivers who are forced to deviate from the determined rules due to checks at border crossings or due to other hygienic measures introduced as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, for example, by customers, must record the reason for such a deviation at the latest when reaching the place where they take their break or rest period on a printout from the tachograph or data sheet. The driver must also ensure that he does not in any way endanger road safety and carriers must at the same time ensure the social welfare of drivers.

This temporary exception relates to all drivers who participate in the transportation of goods in the Czech Republic. This exception is justified by the continuing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the need on the part of the transport sector to keep key economic sectors running and last, but not least, the possibility of delivering goods to customers on time.