No driving time & no parking spot: What does Article 12 actually allow?

We all know the problem. At the end of driving time, it is often impossible to find a parking space. The legislature is strict on this matter, and courts repeatedly state that one must seek a suitable parking opportunity in good time.

What exactly “in good time” means, I don’t know either, and contrary to my old post on this topic, I want to dispel the myth here that there is an exception for precisely this case where no parking space can be found.

More specifically, this concerns Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. This is the article that allows you to deviate from this EU regulation in an exceptional situation so that a safe and suitable place for the daily rest period or driving time break can still be found.

What exactly does Article 12 state?

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Sofern die Sicherheit im Straßenverkehr nicht gefährdet wird, kann der Fahrer von den Artikeln 6 bis 9 abweichen, um einen geeigneten Halteplatz zu erreichen, soweit dies erforderlich ist, um die Sicherheit von Personen, des Fahrzeugs oder seiner Ladung zu gewährleisten. Der Fahrer hat Art und Grund dieser Abweichung spätestens bei Erreichen des geeigneten Halteplatzes handschriftlich auf dem Schaublatt des Kontrollgeräts oder einem Ausdruck aus dem Kontrollgerät oder im Arbeitszeitplan zu vermerken.Wir brauchen hier auch nicht darüber zu reden, dass die Parkplatzsituation in Deutschland für den Arsch ist. Zu viele Lkws für zu wenige Parkplätze. Und nein, die Bahn ist oftmals keine Alternative.

In my old article I had written that Article 12 could be used as an exception when no parking space can be found. That is incorrect. Because everyone knows today that parking spaces are scarce, it is no longer an exception if one cannot find this coveted commodity. Even though I corrected this in the old article afterwards, few people read a text to the end. Therefore, here is the new, correct version.

What is meant by exceptions?

Exceptions in this case refer to events that neither you nor the dispatcher or boss can plan for. Traffic jams, full road closures due to accidents, etc.

The fact that no parking space may be available on the route driven must therefore be planned for in advance.

Yes, but I am allowed to exceed driving time, there is a new regulation for that

Hmm … Yes, that is almost correct. According to the changes introduced with the Mobility Package 2018, one may now extend the driving time by one or even two hours for the “weekend” (figuratively speaking), so that one can still get “home”. That is, to where the truck’s home base is located. But also only if an unforeseeable event has crossed out the plan, allowing you to reach the depot within the regular driving time. Or simply if you have the truck parked in front of your own door.

To prevent one or another instructor for the 95 from having a heart attack because I wrote about the weekend: This refers to the weekly rest period that I can take independently of a specific part of the week.

I think this is sufficient correction. A regular case such as missing parking spaces is not an exception under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006.