Germany is relaxing the rules governing driving and rest times

Following a series of storms in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has relaxed the rules concerning driving and rest periods until August 1, 2021 for transports involving assistance or the elimination of the negative effects of storm damage.

The following relaxations have been introduced:

• the daily driving time may be extended to a maximum of 10 hours five times a week at the most

• the weekly driving time must not exceed 59 hours

• A driver can take two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods, provided that at least four weekly rest periods are taken in four consecutive weeks, of at least two must be regular weekly rest periods. Any reduction in the weekly rest period must be compensated for by an equivalent rest period, which must 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 one after the other, the next rest period - to compensate for these two reduced weekly rest periods - must be taken before the following weekly rest period.