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NL Worker Compass
Bouw & Infra · 2025–2027

Travel hours and travel costs Construction & Infrastructure: what is the difference?

Check travel time, mileage allowance and driver surcharge separately. See why construction site and UTA rules are not interchangeable.

Sources checked: 2 minutes of readingSources for this explanation

This is an automatic translation of the Dutch explanation. If in doubt, check the Dutch text and the original collective labor agreement. Read this explanation in Dutch

The short answer

Travel expenses reimburse expenses for transportation; travel time is reimbursed under certain conditions. The Construction & Infrastructure Collective Labor Agreement also makes a distinction between a construction site and a UTA. You therefore cannot treat a kilometer amount and an hourly amount as one surcharge.

First check which trip you are making

Commuting, traveling during work and transporting colleagues may have different rules. Record starting point, destination, means of transport and employer's assignment. The travel hours regulations for construction site employees are stated in Article 5.10. For UTA and business travel you must check your own applicable provision; do not automatically use the construction site scheme.

Make three separate calculations

Split any compensation into kilometers, affordable travel hours and driver surcharge. Bij de bouwplaatsreisuren kent de cao onder meer een eigen behandeling van de eerste reistijd en een uitzondering voor het meenemen van collega’s als bestuurder. Check the current table and conditions of Chapter 5. A general industry page may mention older amounts; the dated collective labor agreement document and the compensation list are therefore leading.

This is how you check it

  1. Note the route, travel time and whether you transport colleagues per working day.
  2. Check your employee category and the applicable Articles 5.9 and 5.10.
  3. Request a specification that breaks down time, kilometers and any driver surcharge.
Practical example

You drive your own car to a construction site and take colleagues with you upon request. Then check three questions: which kilometers are reimbursed, what travel time counts and does a driver surcharge apply? Only entering kilometers times a rate may miss an element.

Questions about this CAO

Are travel hours the same as overtime?

Not automatically. The collective labor agreement deals with travel time and overtime in separate provisions. Use the correct basis and arrangement.

Do construction site travel hours also apply to UTA?

You can't assume that. Check the UTA provisions and your individual agreements.

Do I get extra if I bring colleagues?

There are conditions regarding driver surcharge and travel time. Record that you transport colleagues and on what basis.

Why doesn't the calculator automatically provide a travel amount?

Route, role, means of transport and collective labor agreement conditions are required for this. This site does not yet automate that complete assessment.

Sources for this explanation

Sources checked:

Original documents · PDF