Drivers’ hours rules explained

Managing drivers’ hours is a core responsibility for any fleet operating heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and larger vans. These rules exist to keep drivers safe, prevent fatigue-related accidents, and maintain compliance with UK and EU regulations.

For haulage carriers, understanding the rules is just as important as meeting delivery deadlines. Fleet managers must stay on top of driving limits, rest periods, and tachograph rules to avoid penalties and disruptions.

This guide covers UK and EU drivers’ hours rules, AETR regulations, and how these apply to different vehicle types.

Why drivers’ hours rules matter

Fatigue is a major risk in road transport. Studies show that tired drivers are more likely to make mistakes, increasing the chance of serious accidents. That’s why driving limits, breaks, and rest periods are enforced.

For businesses, non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, or even loss of your operator licence. The DVSA regularly conducts roadside checks, and any breaches can impact your company’s reputation.

Keeping up with these regulations is an important part of driver management, helping to protect both drivers and the business.

UK drivers’ hours rules for HGV drivers

HGV drivers in the UK follow specific drivers’ hours rules, designed to balance working time with adequate rest.

Driving limits in the UK

• Daily driving limit: 9 hours per day, with the option to extend to 10 hours twice a week
• Weekly driving limit: 56 hours per week (maximum)
• Fortnightly limit: 90 hours in any rolling two-week period

Breaks and rest periods

• A 45-minute break is required after 4.5 hours of driving
• Daily rest must be at least 11 hours, which can be split into 3 + 9 hours
• Weekly rest: 45 consecutive hours every two weeks, which can be reduced to 24 hours under certain conditions

Exemptions and special cases

Certain industries and operations qualify for exemptions, including emergency services, breakdown recovery, and agricultural transport.

Some short-distance deliveries may also fall under domestic working time regulations, which differ from standard drivers’ hours rules.

EU drivers’ hours rules

For UK operators running international deliveries, the EU’s rules are almost identical, and need to be followed when operating within EU member states.

Driving limits in the EU

• Daily driving limit: 9 hours, with the option to extend to 10 hours twice a week
• Weekly driving limit: 56 hours
• Fortnightly limit: 90 hours over any two consecutive weeks

Breaks and rest periods

• Breaks: A 45-minute break is required after 4.5 hours of driving
• Daily rest: At least 11 consecutive hours, or 9 hours if using the reduced rest option
• Weekly rest: 45 consecutive hours every two weeks, which can be reduced to 24 hours if compensated later

These rules apply to HGV drivers operating vehicles over 3.5 tonnes within the EU – it’s dependent on maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), rather than the haulage truck dimensions.

Fleets must also comply with tacho rules to accurately record driving hours and rest periods.

AETR rules for driving hours

The AETR (European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport – a real mouthful!) is an international agreement governing drivers’ hours and rest periods for commercial vehicle operators working across multiple countries.

While EU regulations apply within the European Union, AETR rules cover operations in non-EU countries that have signed the agreement, including:

• Russia
• Turkey
• Ukraine
• Switzerland
• Norway
• Several countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus

Any UK operator conducting transport through these regions must follow AETR laws for the entire journey, even if part of the route passes through the EU.

This means that an HGV driver leaving the UK, passing through the EU, and continuing into Turkey must apply AETR regulations for the entire trip.

The driving limits and rest periods under AETR are nearly identical to EU regulations:

Driving limits in AETR countries

• Daily driving limit: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week
• Weekly driving limit: 56 hours
• Fortnightly limit: 90 hours in any two-week period

Breaks and rest periods

• Breaks: 45 minutes after every 4.5 hours of driving
• Daily rest: At least 11 hours, or 9 hours when split into two periods
• Weekly rest: 45 consecutive hours, which can be reduced under specific conditions

Tachographs and record-keeping

Tachographs record driving time, speed, rest periods and periods of availability. They are mandatory for most HGVs and some vans to help enforce tachograph rules.

Types of tachographs

• Analogue tachographs: Older devices using paper charts, and no longer allowed in the UK.
• Digital tachographs: Store data on driver cards and internal memory.
• Smart tachographs: The latest version, transmitting data remotely to enforcement agencies.

Legal requirements for fleets

• Tachograph data must be stored for at least 12 months
• Employers must download and review data regularly to check for breaches
• Any transport manager responsible for fleet compliance must keep thorough records

How drivers’ hours rules apply to van and courier drivers

Courier fleets with vehicles under 3.5 tonnes generally do not need to follow EU rules. However, there are exceptions:

• Vans over 2.5 tonnes used for international transport are now included in EU regulations
• Domestic working time laws still apply, limiting total working hours and requiring breaks

For operators running a mix of HGVs and vans, you’ll need to track both sets of rules to avoid compliance issues.

Penalties for breaking drivers’ hours rules

DVSA officers conduct regular roadside checks to enforce drivers’ hours rules. If a driver is found in breach, the penalties can include:

• Fines up to £1,500 per offence
• Prohibition notices preventing further driving
• Revocation or suspension of an operator licence
• In serious cases, prosecution and company-wide investigations

Fleet managers can avoid these issues by using freight tracking software to monitor driver activity and identify potential compliance risks before they become a problem.

Best practices for fleet compliance

Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about running a safer, more efficient operation and maintaining your drivers’ mental health.

Here are some best practices for staying on top of drivers’ hours rules:

• Use technology: Digital tachographs and tracking software provide real-time data on driver activity.
• Schedule regular training: Keeping drivers informed on legal requirements helps reduce accidental breaches.
• Review data frequently: Regular checks on your fleets’s tacho records and working hours logs can help prevent violations.
• Plan routes carefully: Allowing for adequate rest stops and factoring in delays ensures compliance without affecting delivery schedules.

By following these steps, haulage carriers can keep their fleets compliant while maintaining reliable service for customers.

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