Driver hours and tachographs: EU, AETR and GB domestic rules

Drivers of goods vehicles, buses and coaches must adhere to specific rules on driving hours and breaks. The rules that apply depend on the type of vehicle and the country of operation. Northern Ireland has some different requirements, and working-time regulations apply alongside the drivers' hours rules. Non-compliance can result in fines, prohibition notices or other penalties.

Responsibilities for employers

If you employ drivers or mobile workers, you are responsible for keeping records of drivers' hours for at least one year, ensuring drivers are properly trained and understand the rules, organising schedules that comply, monitoring hours and records, and providing records to enforcement officers on request. Crucially, you cannot incentivise drivers on delivery speed or distance in a way that encourages rule-breaking. Mobile workers include drivers (employed, own-account or agency), vehicle crew such as second drivers and conductors, and other travelling staff such as security guards and draymen.

Goods vehicles

For goods vehicles, the framework is:

• EU rules apply where the maximum weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes and you operate in the UK or travel to/from an EU country (subject to UK exemptions).
• AETR rules apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes travelling to, through or from AETR countries.
• GB domestic rules apply where the maximum weight is under 3.5 tonnes, the vehicle is exempt from EU rules within the UK, or it is used for trade or business.

For international trips outside the UK, EU, EEA or Switzerland, check the specific regulations with the relevant embassy. To check whether an exemption applies, see our guide to tachograph exemption.

Buses, coaches and minibuses

For passenger vehicles, the applicable rules vary by the number of seats, distance, route type and whether the service is regular. As a general guide for public service vehicles:

Non-PSV and non-commercial vehicles with up to 8 seats generally have no drivers' hours rules, while those with 9 or more seats usually follow EU rules unless exempt.

EU rules: the core limits

Despite Brexit, the EU rules continue to apply in many situations. The headline limits are:

• Driving: maximum 9 hours per day (10 hours twice a week), 56 hours per week, and 90 hours across any two consecutive weeks.
• Breaks: at least 45 minutes after 4.5 hours of driving.
• Daily rest: 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests.
• Weekly rest: 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours every other week, with weekly rest taken after no more than six consecutive 24-hour periods.

For a fuller, worked-through explanation of these limits, see our guide to HGV drivers' hours.

GB domestic rules and mixed driving

Under GB domestic rules, goods vehicles have a daily driving limit of 10 hours and a daily duty limit of 11 hours (the duty limit does not apply on non-driving days). Buses and coaches have a 10-hour driving limit, a 16-hour maximum working day, defined break requirements and rest periods of 10 hours before and after a shift (reducible to 8.5 hours up to three times a week). Where a driver works under both EU/AETR and GB domestic rules, follow EU/AETR rest and weekly-rest requirements, count EU/AETR driving towards GB limits, and respect the GB domestic duty limits throughout.

Tachographs, working time and getting it right

A tachograph is required where the vehicle is subject to EU or AETR rules, and for light vehicles towing a trailer where the combined weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes. Digital tachographs are required for vehicles first registered on or after 1 May 2006. Separately, the Working Time Regulations cap average working time at 48 hours per week (up to 60 in a single week), with a 10-hour night-work limit unless otherwise agreed, and require accurate working-time records. For how the rules apply to the device itself, see understanding tachographs.

Working out which set of rules applies — and managing mixed EU/GB driving — is where many operators slip up. If you want certainty, our consultants can review your operation and put the right systems in place. Contact us for a free, no-obligation conversation.