HGV Driver's Hours Start Intro Tutorial Layout Usage Symbols Print Out

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: http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/vehicledrivers/vehicledrivers.htm
Accuracy cannot be guaranteed, but data is based on best available information at this time.
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?)
  Print Domestic Rules
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