Paid tachograph hours in EU posting

When calculating the shift, it is not only driving time that is relevant, but all actual working time.

Activities are classified as follows:

Driving: counts as 100% work and is paid in full at the minimum wage rate of the respective country.
Other work: includes loading, unloading, paperwork, etc. – this is actual work and is paid in full.
Availability: This is included only in certain situations (when the duration is unknown and the driver must be prepared to step in).
Break/Rest: These are not paid and are not included in the calculation of the shift.

Main rule:
👉 Posting hours = Driving + Other work (in the respective country)
👉 Breaks, rest periods, and on-call time are excluded

The authorities are verifying the correlation between the data from the tachograph and the payroll records to ensure overall consistency.

Relevant tachograph events for EU reporting

Question: For posting purposes, which of the activities recorded by the tachograph are relevant and must be paid at the hourly wage rate of the respective country?

The short answer (to keep in mind):

👉 It’s NOT just about driving.

👉 YES, you are paid the minimum wage of that country for all hours worked.

👉 Breaks and rest periods are NOT paid.

1. Tachograph data relevant to posting

There are four main types of activities on the tachograph:

Driving – actual working time.

Other work – actual work (loading, unloading, etc.).

Availability – special cases, analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

Break/Rest – time to rest.

2. Breakdown by type

2.1 Driving

This represents 100% of working hours.
Payment is always based on the minimum wage in the state where the driver is located.

2.2 Other work

Includes: loading/unloading, supervision, truck cleaning, customs formalities, active waiting time.

It is considered actual work.
Payment is due in full at the posted rate.

2.3 Availability – gray area

No payment is due when: the duration is known in advance, the driver is allowed to leave the cab, and is not required to intervene.

This rate applies when: the duration is unknown, the driver must remain on standby, and can be called at any time.

Recommendation: Include this in the posting calculation only in clear cases of disguised employment.

2.4 Break / Rest (breaks and rest periods)

Includes a 45-minute break, 11 hours of daily rest, and weekly rest.

They are not paid.
It is not included in the posting calculation, regardless of the country.

3. The correct calculation formula

Hours worked = Driving + Other work (within the territory of that country).

Breaks, rest periods, and on-call time are excluded.

4. Practical example

A typical day in Germany: Driving 7 hours, Other work 1.5 hours, On-call 1 hour, Break 1.5 hours.

Hours worked = 8.5 hours.

5. What the inspectors check

Inspectors compare the working hours recorded on the tachograph with the pay stub and the payroll records.

The focus is on overall consistency, not minute-by-minute accuracy.

Conclusion:

For this position, you are paid only for the actual hours worked (driving + other activities).

Frequently Asked Questions About Relevant Tachograph Activities for EU Posting

Which tachograph activities are subject to the posting regime?

Only activities considered actual work are paid:
Driving
Other work

Are breaks and rest periods during posting paid?

No. Breaks and rest periods are not considered working time and are not paid, regardless of the country.

Is availability included in the posting?

It depends on the situation:
No payment is made if the driver knows the duration and is off-duty (passive availability)
Payment may be made if the driver must be ready to step in (active availability)

What does “Other work” mean, and why is it important?

This includes activities such as loading, unloading, cleaning the truck, or handling paperwork. These are considered work and are paid at the minimum wage of the country where they are performed.

Does the country where the driver is located matter?

Yes. Working hours are paid at the minimum wage rate of the country where the work takes place.

Do inspectors check every minute recorded on the tachograph?

No. The overall consistency between the tachograph, the payroll records, and the pay stub is verified, not absolute accuracy down to the minute.

If a driver drives in multiple countries in a single day, how is this calculated?

Hours are allocated to each country based on the actual time worked in each territory, and the corresponding minimum wage is applied.

Why is it important to interpret the tachograph correctly?

To avoid penalties and ensure proper payment in accordance with EU legislation on the posting of drivers.

György Bokor

Founder and CEO of Paneuropa Logistics

I am György Bokor, Founder and CEO of Paneuropa Logistics. I have been active in the logistics industry for more than 20 years, focusing on international transportation, freight forwarding, last-mile deliveries and customs services. I am passionate about developing efficient solutions that connect businesses across Europe.