What are the (GB /EU) rules on drivers’ hours ? 

The hours a driver can drive in the UK are strictly controlled by regulations known as EU drivers’ hours rules and apply to both goods and passenger vehicles. These rules are designed to maintain safety standards and deal with maximum driving times, breaks and minimum rest periods.

For goods vehicles the rules apply to all journeys made entirely within the UK, in whole or in part, on roads open to the public and where the maximum permitted weight (including any trailer or semi?trailer) exceeds 3.5 tonnes.

What are the maximum driving times under GB/EU rules ?

•  Daily driving must not exceed 9 hours, although this may be extended to 10 hours twice a week
• Weekly driving must not exceed 56 hours
• Fortnightly driving must not exceed 90 hours during any two consecutive weeks
• Night work driving must not exceed 9 hours

What breaks and rest must drivers take under GB/EU rules ?

• Breaks – Drivers must take a break or breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4.5 hours driving.  Breaks can be subdivided into 2 periods taken during 4.5 hours driving, the first at least 15 minutes, the second at least 30 minutes
• Daily rest – Drivers must take at least 11 hours rest within 24 hours – this can  be reduced by up to 2 hours (to 9 hours) on 3 occasions between weekly rests
• Weekly rest – Drivers must take an unbroken break of 45 hours every week after a maximum of 6 days. This may be reduced to 24 hours every other week. Reductions in rest must be compensated en bloc by end of third week following reduction.  2 weekly rests must be taken in any 2 week period and 1 of those rests must be at least 45 hours long

GB/EU drivers’ hours rules  require that all work and rest time is recorded on a tachograph

What is the Working Time Directive ?

The Working Time Directive Regulations work in conjunction with the EU Drivers Hours Rules (EC561/2006) and limit the amount of time worked rather than just the time spent driving. 

What are the maximum working hours and what breaks must you take under the Working Time Directive ? 

• Weekly working time  – Must not exceed an average of 48 hours per week (over 17 weeks or up to 26 weeks if agreed) and a maximum of 60 hours can be worked in a single week
• Night work – Any worker entering a shift between 00:00 and 04:00 is classed as a night worker and their working time must not exceed 10 hours* (*Note: There is a provision in the Working Time regulations for temporary workers engaged as self-employed workers on contracts to adopt flexibility in respect of night work and these workers can work beyond the 10 hour night work limit set out in the regulations, but only to the extent that this would not breach any of the other provisions of the regulations of the GB/EU drivers’ hours).
• Breaks – Working between 6 and 9 hours per day requires breaks totalling 30 minutes. If more than 9 hours is worked then breaks must total 45 minutes. Breaks must be of at least 15 minutes duration. (Source : A summary of Working Time Regulations for mobile workers https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224632/Summary_Working_time_regulations_mobile_workers.pdf ) If necessary, you can always take a longer break if you need it. There is no maximum break. It is important to take breaks in accordance with the Working Time Directive and EU rules and for safety reasons – driving tired is dangerous.

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For further information on GB /EU drivers’ hours rules;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/publications/manualsandguides/drivershoursandtachographguides.htm

For further information on the Working Time Directive;

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtimedirective.htm