This
is a very simple outline.
There are many refinements, vehicle exemptions, etc.
There were some changes in April
2007.
Domestic rules allow more driving time.
|
VOSA
Publications |
GV262 - Drivers Hours and Tachograph
Rules for Goods Vehicles
|
| PSV375 -
Drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules for Road Passenger Vehicles |
| Copies from VOSA by calling 0870
606 0440 or email from web site |
| VOSA Transport Office Web Site |
 |
| Daily Driving: |
Max 9 hours. |
Can be extended to 10 hours twice a week |
| Weekly Driving: |
56 hours |
Not clear whether or not this is still limited to 6 driving periods. |
| 2 weeks: |
90 hours |
90 hours |
| Breaks: |
After 4 1/2 hours driving, you must
take a break of at least 45 minutes.
|
Breaks of 15 minutes,
taken during the above driving period, can count towards that break.
First break must be at least 15 minutes.
Second break must be at least 30 minutes.
|
| Minimum Daily Rest: |
Normally 11 consecutive hours.
|
Rest periods can be taken in a vehicle if that vehicle has a bunk and
is stationary. |
| Reduced Daily Rest: |
9 hours up to 3 times in a week. |
Compensation for lost hours is no longer required. |
| Split Daily Rest: |
If the daily rest period is composed of non-consecutive hours:
|
12 hour rest period may be taken in two periods:
First period must be at least 3 hours.
Second period must be at least
9 hours. |
| Weekly Rest Periods: |
Within six 24 hour periods from the end of the
last weekly rest period, a driver will extend a daily rest period into
either; a regular weekly rest period of at least 45 hours, or a reduced
weekly rest period of less than 45 hours but at least 24 hours.
In any two consecutive weeks, a driver shall take at least two
regular weekly rest periods, or one regular weekly rest period and one reduced
weekly rest period of at least 24 hours.
However, the reduction shall be compensated by an equivalent period of rest taken
en bloc before the end of the third week
following the week in question.
|
| Rest on ferries / trains: |
Where a driver accompanies a vehicle which is transported by ferry
or train,
and takes a regular (not less than 11 hour) daily rest period, that period may
be interrupted not more than twice by other activities not exceeding one hour
in total.
During that regular daily rest period the driver shall have access to a bunk
or couchette. |
| Double Manning: |
Within 30 hours of the end of a daily or weekly rest
period, a driver engaged in multi-manning must have taken a new daily
rest period of at least 9 hours.
For the first hour of multi-manning the presence of another driver or drivers
is optional, but for the remainder of the period it is compulsory. |
| Emergencies |
| |
Provided that road safety is not jeopardised, and to
enable him to reach a suitable stopping place, the driver may depart
from the driving limits and rest requirements to extend necessary
to ensure the safety of persons, of the vehicle or of its load.
A note of the occurrence and the reason why the requirements were disregarded
must be made on the back of the tachograph chart. (Or Print Out?)
|
| Domestic Rules |
| |
Domestic drivers hours rules apply to the drivers'
of Vehicles on journeys within the United Kingdom which are exempt
from the EC rules.
The rules do not apply to drivers who always drive off the public road
(i.e. driving in connection with road improvements or road maintenance,
quarrying or other construction work or civil engineering works)
.A driver who drives for less than 4 hours in any day in any fixed week
(24:00 hrs Sunday to 24:00 hrs Sunday) does not have to observe the drivers
hours requirement during that week.
Daily Driving Limit - Domestic
A driver must not drive for more than 10 hours in a day. The
daily driving limit applies to time spent at the wheel actually
driving on a public road. Off-road driving counts as duty time.
Daily Duty Limit -
Domestic A driver must not be on duty for more
that 11 hours on any working day. A driver is exempt
from the daily duty limit on any working day when
he does not drive.
Emergencies
The domestic rules are relaxed for events needing immediate action to
avoid danger to life of health; serious interruption of essential public
services (gas, water, electricity, or drainage); or of telecommunications
and postal services; or in the use of roads, railways, ports, airports;
or serious damage to property. In these cases the driving and duty limits
are suspended for the duration of the emergency.
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