The One-Minute Rule: Legal Optimization

Chapter 1: The Predominance Algorithm

Prior to 2011, any vehicle movement (even for 1 second) triggered a full minute of driving time. Under current regulations, the system analyzes the 60-second block:

• Case A: Drive 28 seconds + Stop 32 seconds = The minute counts as REST.
• Case B: Drive 31 seconds + Stop 29 seconds = The minute counts as DRIVING.

In urban routes or heavy traffic, applying this technique with precision can result in up to 45 extra minutes of availability by the end of the working day.

Chapter 2: Practical Application for Deliveries and Jams

To maximize this legal advantage without committing infringements, professional drivers use the following protocols:

1. Queue Movements: If the vehicle moves meter by meter, try to keep the movement under 29 seconds and come to a complete stop for more than 30 seconds. The tachograph will continue to log rest.
2. Loading Dock Manouvers: When approaching a dock, if the calendar minute has just started, you have nearly half a minute to maneuver without breaking the "Other Work" or "Rest" record.

Chapter 3: Is this legal during an Inspection?

Absolutely YES. This is not tampering; it is the official software logic approved by the European Union. However, an excess of micro-movements recorded as rest may raise suspicions of "driving without a card" if there is no consistency with the odometer readings. Therefore, it is vital to audit the .DDD file to ensure that distance jumps are consistent with the recorded activity.