The EU Drivers’ Hours Regulation EC561/2006, which came into effect on 11th April 2007, governs the driving hours, breaks, and rest periods for professional drivers in the UK. Here’s a brief summary of the key points.
Driving Time Limits
- Daily Limit: 9 hours per day (can be extended to 10 hours twice a week)
- Weekly Limit: 56 hours in any one week
- Fortnightly Limit: 90 hours over two consecutive weeks
In addition, your total working time (driving plus other work) is subject to the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations (RT(WT)R) and must not exceed
- 60 hours in any one week
- An average of 48 hours per week over a reference period of 17-26 weeks
Driving Breaks
- After 4 hours 30 minutes of continuous driving, you must take a break or breaks totalling 45 minutes
- If breaks are taken during this period, the first must be at least 15 minutes and the second at least 30 minutes
- You cannot split the 45-minute break into smaller periods
Daily Rest
- A daily rest period of 11 hours is required within any 24-hour period
- This can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times between two weekly rest periods (no compensation needed)
- Rest can be split into two periods: at least 3 hours and 9 hours, making a total of 12 hours
Weekly Rest
- After six consecutive 24-hour periods, a new weekly rest period must begin
- The weekly rest must be at least 45 hours. This can be reduced to 24 hours once in any two consecutive weeks
- Any reduction must be compensated by the end of the third week in a single block, added to a rest period of no less than 9 hours
Interruptions and Exceptions
- Daily and weekly rest periods must be uninterrupted, meaning drivers must have full control over their own time
- An exception may apply during ferry crossings or in emergencies
For multi-manning, drivers must take a daily rest of at least 9 hours within 30 hours after the end of the previous daily or weekly rest period (the vehicle must be stationary during this time)
Driver Obligations
- Comply with rest and break requirements
- Record all “other work” activities under RT(WT)R using the cross hammers symbol
- Use the packing case symbol to record availability
- Keep records of driving periods for the current day and the previous 28 days for roadside checks
- If your digital driver card is lost, stolen, or damaged, follow manual entry requirements
The DVSA in Great Britain and the DVTA in Northern Ireland are responsible for enforcing these regulations.
For further details, refer to the full regulation or contact your employer for clarification on any exceptions.
Disclaimer
This information has been gathered from sources including GOV.UK and RoSPA. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Quicktemp and its affiliates accept no liability for any errors or omissions.
