Road Transport Inspection

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USEFUL INFORMATION

Road transport and drivers’ obligations

This page provides an overview of the basic obligations of drivers and carriers in the field of road transport. The information is based on the valid legislation of the Czech Republic and directly applicable regulations of the European Union.

Note: The Road Transport Inspectorate is not authorized to provide expert opinions or binding interpretations of legal regulations.

SITE CONTENT

The issues of driving times, rest periods and the use of tachographs are undergoing fundamental changes. The following areas are key for transport operators and drivers:

New obligation for deliveries (over 2.5 t) in international transport:
  • From 1 July 2026, the scope of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 and the obligation to install tachographs will also extend to vehicles in international transport and cabotage whose maximum permissible weight (including trailers) exceeds 2.5 tonnes. This obligation applies to all international transport for business purposes, unless the transport in question falls under the exceptions, see below.
  • Mandatory replacement of tachographs with the G2V2 version (Smart Tachograph II): Vehicles in international transport are required to be retrofitted or equipped with the latest generation of smart tachographs (G2V2).
  • Rules and exceptions: The work regime is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006, the technical requirements by Regulation (EU) No. 165/2014. There are specific exceptions (e.g. for craftsmen within a 100 km radius), which also vary, for example, according to the weight of the vehicle.
Detailed guide

Given the scope and complexity of the issue, we recommend using the interactive guides and explanations of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic, which can be found at the following links:

  • Recordkeeping Obligations Guide – an interactive tool to determine what record you must keep.
  • Rules for record keeping and rest – detailed analysis of driving times and safety breaks.
  • Overview of exceptions to Regulation 561/2006 – in which cases you do not have to use a tachograph.

Specifics of the operation of tractors with a design speed of 80 km/h and higher (so-called Tatra tractors)

For category T vehicles (tractors) with a design speed of 80 km/h and above, there is a fundamental change in the legal regime compared to slower machines. The following obligations apply in these cases:

  • Obligation to pay electronic tolls The use of a toll road by a tractor with a maximum permissible weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes and a design speed of 80 km/h or higher is subject to a toll. Section 22, paragraph 1, of Act No. 13/1997 Coll., on Roads
  • Driving license C(+E) The driver of a tractor whose design speed is 80 km/h or higher must hold a driving license for vehicle groups C (or E). Section 80a, paragraph 2, of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic
  • Professional qualification of the driver The exemption from the obligation to have professional qualification (professional license) does not apply to drivers of tractors with a design speed of 80 km/h and higher. Section 3, paragraph 5, letter j) of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic
  • Traffic psychological examination The driver of a tractor whose design speed is 80 km/h or higher is obliged to undergo regular psychological tests. Section 87a, paragraph 1, letter a) of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic
  • Possibility of using motorways and roads for motor vehicles Only vehicles with a design speed of not less than 80 km/h are allowed to enter these roads. Fast tractors can therefore operate here legally Section 35, paragraph 1, of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic.

What is considered night time and how does it affect the length of a driver’s shift?

Night time is defined as the time between 22:00 and 06:00. If a truck or bus driver’s (crew member’s) shift falls within this time period, the driver becomes a “night worker” for the purposes of that shift.

A stricter rule applies to these drivers, where the length of the shift may not exceed 10 hours within 24 consecutive hours.

Only net working time (shift) is counted towards the 10-hour limit. According to the Labor Code, meal and rest breaks are not included in the length of a shift.

  • Practical example: A driver starts work at 5:00 a.m. Since he works between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. (night time), he is subject to a 10-hour work limit.
  • If his total presence at work is 13 hours, but 3 hours of that are legal breaks and rest, his net shift is exactly 10 hours.
  • Deviating regulation of working hours and rest periods of employees in transport pursuant to Section 100, paragraph 1 and Section 213, paragraph 6 of Act No. 262/2006 Coll., Labour Code
  • General provisions on working hours and length of working hours

Competencies are defined by several key laws:

  • Technical inspections and traffic safety: The inspection carries out technical road inspections, supervises compliance with driving restrictions for certain vehicles and checks whether the load on the vehicle is correctly positioned, fastened and secured. Section 124, paragraph 13 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic
  • Low-speed check weighing: Inspectors are authorized to perform low-speed check weighing of vehicles. Section 40, paragraph 10 of Act No. 13/1997 Coll., on Roads
  • State professional supervision in road transport: INSID carries out state professional supervision in road transport in all matters, with the exception of supervision over compliance with obligations in taxi services, obligations under Section 9c, paragraph 1, letter b) and Section 33g, paragraph 1, letter c), points 2 and 3, and obligations of operators of travel agencies and travel offices under the directly applicable regulation of the European Union governing the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport. Section 34, paragraph 3 of Act No. 111/1994 Coll., on road transport

During roadside inspections, inspectors have specific powers that allow them to resolve violations on the spot or provide evidence for further proceedings.

  • Power to issue on-the-spot orders: Inspectors are authorised to issue on-the-spot orders (fines) to drivers for offences they find. This power applies to breaches of driver obligations such as failure to comply with driving and rest periods, errors in record keeping, poor vehicle condition or exceeding weights.
  • Collecting bail: In cases stipulated by law, the inspector is authorized to collect bail from the driver (usually up to CZK 200,000). If the bail is not paid on the spot, the inspector may prevent the vehicle from driving further.
  • Measures to prevent entry: If a dangerous defect is detected, the weight is exceeded (during weighing) or if the driver has not observed the mandatory rest period, the inspector is authorized to prohibit further driving, order the vehicle to be parked in a safe place, or use a technical device to prevent departure (“shoe”), or in some cases, remove registration plates or documents related to the transportation being carried out.

Relationship to operators and carriers. It is important to emphasize that INSID does not conduct administrative proceedings in matters of violations by operators or carriers. The Inspectorate fulfills the role of a control authority. Thus:

  1. He will conduct an inspection, write reports and secure evidence.
  2. Any violations found will be forwarded to the relevant authority.
  3. The administrative procedure itself and the imposition of fines on the operator or carrier are then handled by the municipal authority of the municipality with extended jurisdiction (ORP) or the transport authority (Regional Authorities or Prague City Hall).

INSID does not supervise the electronic toll system. Questions and information on this issue can be found on the website of the Customs Administration and the toll system administrator. https://celnisprava.gov.cz/cz/dalsi-kompetence/myto/Stranky/default.aspx or https://myto.gov.cz/cs/