HGV Drivers Hours Explained

The daily maximum is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week with a maximum of 56 hours in one week and 90 hours over a 2 week period.

A break of no less than 45 minutes must be taken after no more than 4.5 hours of driving.

This break can be divided into two periods:

The first must be at least 15 minutes long and the second at least 30 minutes and taken over the 4.5 hours.

There must be a minimum of 11 hours, which can be reduced to a minimum of 9 hours no more than three times between any 2 weekly rest periods.

 

Current HGV Driver Jobs

The rest time can be taken in two periods:

The first must be at least three hours long and the second at least 9 hours long totalling 12 hours.

The rest must be completed within the 24 hours of the end of the last daily or weekly rest period.

A regular weekly rest of at least 45 hours, or a reduced weekly rest of at least 24 hours, must be started no later than the end of six consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the last weekly rest.

In any two consecutive weeks a driver must have at least two weekly rests – one of which must be at least 45 hours long.

A weekly rest that falls across two weeks may be counted in either week but not in both.

Any reductions must be compensated in one block by an equivalent rest added to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week following the week in question.

Multi-manning daily rest:

A 9 hours daily rest must be taken within a period of 30 hours that starts from the end of the last daily or weekly rest period.

For the first hour of multi-manning the presence of another driver is optional, but for the remaining time it is compulsory.

Ferry/train daily rest:

A regular daily rest period (of at least 11 hours) may be interrupted no more than twice by other activities of not more than 1 hour’s duration in total, provided that the driver is accompanying a vehicle that is travelling by ferry or train and provided that the driver has access to a bunk or couchette.

For more information on drivers hours please visit the link below to the Government website:

www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/overview