Activity Selector: Other Works and Availability
2026 technical guide on recording working times (Directive 2002/15/EC) and its impact on a driver's legal certainty.
Category: Time Management
Technical Audit: TachoTools
Chapter 1: The Activity Selector as the Basis for Working Time
In professional transport, not everything that is not driving is rest. The activity selector of the Smart Tachograph V2 allows for a distinction between the physical presence of the driver and actual work performed. In 2026, Labor Inspections use .DDD files not only to monitor road safety but also to audit compliance with collective agreements and maximum working hours.
Incorrect handling of the selector—for example, remaining in "Other Works" during a break—can cause a driver to exhaust their weekly working hours much sooner than expected, blocking the fleet's operational capacity.
Chapter 2: Definitions and Uses According to the Regulation
Other Works (Hammers)
This activity encompasses any task that is not driving but requires the driver's effort. It includes:
- Loading and unloading of goods.
- Cleaning and technical maintenance of the vehicle.
- Administrative tasks and completing transport documents.
- Attending CPC (CAP) renewal courses if performed during the workday.
Impact: Counts 100% as effective working time.
Availability (Crossed Square)
This is the time during which the driver is not required to remain at their workstation but must be available to answer calls or resume driving. Examples:
- Waiting time at borders or loading docks where the duration is known in advance (approx.).
- Time spent in the passenger seat during multi-manning (double crew).
- Journeys made by ferry or train (accompanying the vehicle).
Impact: Does not count as working time in most agreements (under Directive 2002/15/EC).
Chapter 3: Directive 2002/15/EC and the 60-Hour Limit
A fatal error in fleet management is ignoring that the tachograph adds driving time and "Other Works" time to calculate the weekly workday. While Regulation 561/2006 limits driving to 56 hours, the Working Time Directive prohibits exceeding an average of 48 hours per week (or 60 hours in isolated weeks when adding "hammers").
3.1. Optimization through Availability Mode
If a driver spends 4 hours waiting at a loading dock and leaves the selector in "Other Works", those 4 hours are subtracted from their weekly working capacity. If they correctly use "Availability" mode, that time is recorded but does not penalize their effective workday limit, allowing them to complete longer routes legally.
3.2. Synchronization with Manual Entries
When performing manual entries, it is vital to decide whether the time the card was out was rest or work. An error here can lead to a serious infringement if it is detected that the driver was working while the tachograph recorded rest.
Chapter 4: Risks of Poor Recording
| CONCEPT | INFRINGEMENT | STANDARD FINE |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to record Other Works | Concealment of activity | €2,001 - €4,001 |
| Confusing Break with Work | Lack of mandatory break | Up to €1,000 |
| Improper use of OUT Mode | Falsification | Very Serious Infringement |
Chapter 5: Frequently Asked Questions from Drivers
Yes, Regulation 561/2006 allows availability to be computed as a 45-minute break (or 15/30 fractions), provided the driver is not performing any supportive tasks. This is the basis for time optimization.
If you travel to pick up a truck from a location other than your usual workplace by order of the company, that travel time must be recorded as "Other Works" or "Availability," never as rest.
Conclusion: Precision for Efficiency
Expert handling of the activity selector is what distinguishes a professional driver from a transport operator. In a digital inspection environment like 2026, data transparency is the best tool to avoid labor conflicts and administrative sanctions. With TachoTools, you can visualize exactly how each activity selection affects your workday in real time.
Fleet Optimization
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