Driver working time infringements – how to find them before the inspector does

Most tachograph penalties come from a few recurring mistakes: driving too long without a break, reduced rests and gaps in the records. DDDStart finds them in DDD files and gives a fine estimate according to the Polish fine schedule for each infringement.

The most common infringements of Regulation 561/2006

• Continuous driving longer than 4.5 h without a 45-minute break (or 15 + 30 minutes).
• Daily driving time over 9 h, or over 10 h when the extensions have already been used twice in the week.
• Weekly driving time over 56 h and fortnightly over 90 h.
• Daily rest shorter than 11 h, reduced (9 h) more than three times between weekly rests, incorrectly split.
• Weekly rest not taken after six 24-hour periods or without compensation for a reduction.
• Gaps in the records: gaps without a manual entry, driving without a card, missing country symbol.

What does a detected infringement mean?

The report shows possible excesses and the data the indication is based on. Check the context, file completeness and the applicable rules — an automatic alert is not in itself a confirmation of an infringement.

How many days back the inspector checks

During a roadside check the required range of records depends on the applicable rules. It is worth checking data completeness regularly, not just before an inspection.

How to reduce the risk of infringements

1. Analyse the files right after downloading – every 28 days from cards and every 90 days from tachographs.
2. Review the indicated periods and compare them with your own records before drawing conclusions.
3. Check the warnings about data quality and file completeness.
4. Improve habits with manual entries – most “gaps in the records” are tachograph operating errors.

Questions and answers

Updated: 12 October 2026 · Prepared by the DDDStart team (AMK VISION sp. z o.o.). For information only; this is not legal advice.