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What is Multi-Manning?

Multi-manning is when at least two drivers are available to drive the vehicle between daily or weekly rest periods. The second driver may join during the first hour, but another driver must be present for the remainder of the period for the multi-manning concession to apply.

When the multi-manning conditions are met, each driver may take a daily rest of at least 9 consecutive hours within the 30-hour period starting at the end of their previous daily or weekly rest. All other applicable drivers’ hours rules still apply.

Key requirements

  • The second driver must join within one hour of the first driver starting work.

  • After the first hour, at least two drivers must be present in the vehicle for the remainder of the multi-manning period.

  • Card swap: it is strongly recommended that the cards are handled in following sequence:

  • On withdrawal - First withdraw the driver's card in slot 1 and wait until the card is ejected. Then withdraw the co-driver's card in slot 2.

  • On insertion: First insert the co-driver's card in slot 2 and answer the questions. Then insert the driver's card in slot 1 and answer the questions.

    • It is strongly recommended NOT to swap the card at midnight, 23:59 - 00:01, due to card data processing performed by the VU (regulation requirements).

    • It is strongly recommended NOT to swap the card during Ferry or Train Scenario.

  • Each driver must record their activities correctly using their own tachograph card and the correct card slot.

  • Each driver must take at least 9 consecutive hours of daily rest within the applicable 30-hour period.

  • A 9-hour daily rest is a reduced daily rest and counts towards the limit on reduced daily rests between weekly rest periods.

    Important: Multi-manning extends the daily-rest window from 24 to 30 hours. It does not increase an individual driver’s normal daily, weekly or fortnightly driving limits.

     

Frequently asked questions

Can the second driver arrive 45 minutes after the first driver starts?
✓ YES
The second driver may join at any point within the first hour.

Can the second driver join the first driver after more than 1h?
✕ NO
The one-hour allowance has been exceeded, so the multi-manning concession cannot be used for that duty.

Can one driver take a 45-minute break while the other drives?
✓ YES
A 45-minute period of availability may count as a break during multi-manning, provided the co-driver does no work.

Can one driver leave halfway through the multi-manning period, while the other continues?
✕ NO
Once the first hour has passed, another driver must be present for the remainder of the multi-manning period. If this condition is not met, the drivers are governed by single-manning rules and cannot use the 30-hour concession.

Do both drivers need to use their tachograph cards?
✓ YES
Each driver must use their own card and record activities correctly. The driving driver uses slot 1 and the co-driver uses slot 2.

Can the crew use a 30-hour period before daily rest?
✓ YES
Each driver must complete at least 9 consecutive hours of daily rest within 30 hours from the end of their previous daily or weekly rest, provided the multi-manning conditions and all other applicable rules are met.

Does the 30-hour rule mean both drivers may work for 30 hours?
✕ NO
The 30 hours is the window in which the qualifying daily rest must be completed. With a 9-hour daily rest, the duty spread may be up to 21 hours.

Does a 9-hour rest count as a reduced daily rest?
✓ YES
A 9-hour rest is reduced daily rest and counts towards the limit of three reduced daily rests between two weekly rest periods.



Guidance note
These examples are intended as general guidance only. Tachograph records and the full circumstances of the duty should always be reviewed before deciding whether an infringement has occurred. Where there is uncertainty, seek advice from the operator’s transport or compliance team.