The Rules on HGV Driver Hours

HGV Driving Hours

HGV drivers must follow strict rules covering driving time, breaks and rest periods. These limits are intended to reduce tiredness and keep drivers and other road users safe.

Driving time is not the same as working time. Loading, unloading, vehicle checks and other duties may also count towards a driver’s working hours.

L&T Transport offers HGV driver training in Yorkshire, helping new and existing drivers develop the knowledge and practical skills required for professional driving.

So, how many hours can an HGV driver work?

Which HGV Drivers’ Hours Rules Apply?

The assimilated drivers’ hours rules, previously known as EU rules, apply to most goods vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes. They cover daily and weekly driving limits, breaks, rest periods and tachograph use.

Some journeys may instead fall under GB domestic or AETR rules, while exemptions can apply to certain vehicles and types of work.

What Drivers Need To Know About Their Hours

The normal daily driving limit is nine hours. This can be extended to ten hours twice during a fixed week. Drivers must not exceed 56 driving hours in one week or 90 hours across two consecutive weeks.

After no more than four and a half hours of driving, a driver must take a break of at least 45 minutes. This can be taken in one period or split into a 15-minute break followed by a 30-minute break.

Working time is usually limited to an average of 48 hours per week, although drivers may work up to 60 hours in a single week if the average remains within the limit.

hgv driver hours

Rest Periods

A regular daily rest period must last at least 11 uninterrupted hours. It can also be split into two uninterrupted periods, with the first lasting at least three hours and the second lasting at least nine hours.

A reduced daily rest period must last at least nine hours but less than 11 hours. Drivers may take no more than three reduced daily rest periods between any two weekly rest periods.

A regular weekly rest period must last at least 45 hours. In any two consecutive fixed weeks, drivers must normally take either two regular weekly rests or one regular weekly rest and one reduced weekly rest of at least 24 hours. Any reduction must be taken back in one uninterrupted block before the end of the third following week and attached to another rest period of at least nine hours.

Regular weekly rest cannot be taken inside the vehicle. Reduced weekly rest may be taken in a stationary vehicle, provided it has suitable sleeping facilities.

To summarise, if your previous daily or weekly rest ends and you begin work at 9 am on day one, you must have completed one of the following by 9 am on day two:

A regular daily rest of at least 11 uninterrupted hours
A split daily rest totalling at least 12 hours, taken as three uninterrupted hours followed by nine uninterrupted hours
A reduced daily rest of at least nine uninterrupted hours but less than 11 hours, provided you are permitted to take one

Conclusion

There are many rules and regulations that HGV drivers need to abide by in order to keep themselves and other road users safe. Everyone needs to be aware of these so that we can all share the roads safely.

To stay up to date with these rules, it’s important to follow government guidance.

At L&T Transport, we offer HGV driver training in Yorkshire so that our drivers are up-to-date with the latest legislation and best practice. Contact us today to find out more.