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Every truck and lorry driver in Switzerland is subject to the ARV law that regulates maximum work and driving hours.

This overview is intended as a refresher of the theory and a checklist for drivers.

No liability is assumed for the contents.

LIABILITY OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY

 

  • The employer must allocate work to the employee in such a way that he or she can comply with the provisions on working hours, driving times and rest times (ARV, Section 2, Art. 17.1)

  • The employer must ensure that the employee complies with the provisions on working hours, driving times and rest periods, uses the control equipment correctly and returns it to him on time. (Section 2, Article 17.2)

 

The following rules not only protect us drivers, but also the production as a jointly responsible employer in the event of an accident!

COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES IS THEREFORE IN THE INTEREST OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!

 

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 ARV ≤ 7.5T

 

The ARV 1 does NOT apply to vehicles and combinations up to 7.5t total weight, which

 

  1. are used for non-commercial (...) transport of goods. (Section 2, Art.4.1.h.1)

  2. are used within 100 km of the company's main location (...) and are used purely for the transport of equipment used for work - provided that driving the vehicles takes up a maximum of half of the working time. (Section 2, Art.4.1.h.2)

 

→ Light trucks up to 7.5t are exempt from ARV 1 in 99% of cases and may set the tachograph to "OUT".

 

However, the labor law, which defines maximum working hours and necessary breaks, still applies.

 

FÜR LICHT-LKWs ÜBER 7.5t GELTEN AUSNAHMSLOS FOLGENDE REGELN: 

 

  • max. daily driving time:  9h (+ a break of at least 45min) (Section 3, Art.5.1)

    • Daily driving time may be extended to 10 hours twice a week, provided the total driving time per week does not exceed 56 hours

  • ​max. weekly  work time. 48h (Section 3 Art.6.1)

    • Weekly working hours may be up to 60 hours, provided the average over 26 weeks is ≤ 48 hours

    • Working times at different employers (production companies) are added together!

  • a break must be taken after a maximum of 6h (30min ≤ 9h total working time, 45min > 9h total working time) (Section 3, Art.8.3)

  • daily rest time: at least 11h (Section 3, Art.9.1 / 9.2)

    • may be shortened to 9 hours three times within a week (Art.9.3)

    • Weekly rest period ("weekend"): at least 2 x 45 hours within two weeks (Section 3, Art. 11.1)

      may be reduced to 24 hours provided that compensation is made again within three weeks (Art.11.2)

  • Maximum weekly duration: 6 days (Section 3, Art.11.3)

 

 

A SOLIDARY SOLUTION AMONG US WORKING IN LIGHTING WOULD BE TO CONSISTENTLY STOP DRIVING AFTER 12 HOURS.

SUNDAY AND NIGHT DRIVING PROHIBITATION

 

All trucks > 3.5t are generally subject to the Sunday and night driving ban (22:00 - 05:00), but there are exceptions and permits can be obtained (exceptions Art. 2.b - transport of circus, showman, market trader, orchestra, theater material and the like).
Journeys with a Sunday or night driving permit must be kept short and reduced to the necessary minimum.

CZV

 

The only people exempt from the chauffeur license are those whose job does not involve transporting goods and whose journey is solely to transport their own work materials.

 

IF A LIGHTING TECHNICIAN IS EMPLOYED ONLY TO MOVE A TRUCK (e.g. after a long day of filming, when changing locations, etc.), THIS PERSON IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A CZV LICENSE!

CZV

 

The only people exempt from the chauffeur license are those whose job does not involve transporting goods and whose journey is solely to transport their own work materials.

 

IF A LIGHTING TECHNICIAN IS EMPLOYED ONLY TO MOVE A TRUCK (e.g. after a long day of filming, when changing locations, etc.), THIS PERSON IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A CZV LICENSE!

CZV

 

The only people exempt from the chauffeur license are those whose job does not involve transporting goods and whose journey is solely to transport their own work materials.

 

IF A LIGHTING TECHNICIAN IS EMPLOYED ONLY TO MOVE A TRUCK (e.g. after a long day of filming, when changing locations, etc.), THIS PERSON IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A CZV LICENSE!

CARRY THESE DOCUMENTS WITH YOU!

 

The following documents must be in the cabin on every journey:

 

  • driver's license and driver card

  • vehicle registration document

  • for old trucks: replacement discs for speedometer

  • LSVA document and exhaust maintenance document

  • tachograph test report (valid for 2 years)

  • if available: printout of total weight

 

 

The location of these items should be known for emergencies and inspections:

 

  • fire extinguisher

  • warning triangle, safety vest

  • wheel chock (MANDATORY!)

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