LEGAL STATUS AND CURRENT CONDITION OF DRIVERS’ WORK AND REST SCHEDULES

Abstract

This article examines the legal and practical status of drivers’ work and rest schedules in road transport. The study focuses on the regulatory framework governing maximum driving time, mandatory breaks, daily and weekly rest periods, and the role of tachographs in monitoring compliance. The analysis shows that this field is primarily shaped by the AETR framework and European Union rules, especially Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, which establish common standards aimed at improving road safety, protecting drivers’ health, and ensuring fair competition in transport operations. The study also finds that digital and smart tachographs have become central tools of enforcement, increasing transparency and improving the detection of violations. At the same time, practical challenges remain, including inconsistent compliance, operational pressure on drivers, and gaps between legal requirements and actual transport practice. The article concludes that effective regulation in this field depends not only on clear legal norms but also on strong enforcement, digital supervision, and a better compliance culture among carriers and drivers.