HGV Drivers’ Hours: The Rules You Need to Know

Understanding drivers’ hours rules is essential for every professional HGV driver. Getting it wrong can result in fines, penalty points, and even prosecution. This guide breaks down the rules in plain English so you can stay legal and safe on the road.

Daily Driving Limit

You can drive for a maximum of 9 hours per day. This can be extended to 10 hours twice per week.

Driving time means any time the vehicle is moving on a public road. It does not include loading, unloading, or other work duties.

Daily Rest Period

You must take a minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours within each 24-hour period. This can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times per week (known as a “reduced daily rest”).

Alternatively, you can split your daily rest into two periods: the first must be at least 3 hours and the second at least 9 hours, totalling at least 12 hours.

Breaks During Driving

After 4.5 hours of driving, you must take a break of at least 45 minutes. This break can be split into two parts:

• First break: at least 15 minutes
• Second break: at least 30 minutes

The second break must be taken before or at the end of the 4.5-hour driving period. You cannot drive for more than 4.5 hours without completing the full 45-minute break requirement.

Weekly Driving Limit

You cannot drive for more than 56 hours in any single week.

Fortnightly Driving Limit

You cannot drive for more than 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks. This means if you drive 56 hours in one week, you can only drive 34 hours the following week.

Weekly Rest Period

You must take a weekly rest period of at least 45 consecutive hours (a “regular weekly rest”). This can be reduced to 24 hours every other week (a “reduced weekly rest”), but the reduction must be compensated for within the following three weeks.

Tachograph Rules

All HGV drivers must use a tachograph to record their driving time, other work, breaks, and rest periods. Key rules:

• You must carry enough tachograph charts or have a valid digital tachograph card
• You must be able to produce records for the current day plus the previous 28 days
• You must record all activities accurately — falsifying records is a serious criminal offence
• Your employer must keep tachograph records for at least 12 months

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting to change the tachograph mode: Always switch between driving, other work, and rest modes correctly.
2. Not taking breaks on time: Plan your breaks in advance. Do not push past 4.5 hours of driving.
3. Confusing “other work” with rest: Loading, unloading, and vehicle checks count as “other work”, not rest.
4. Exceeding the fortnightly limit: Track your hours across two weeks, not just one.
5. Not compensating for reduced rest: If you take a reduced weekly rest, you must make up the difference within three weeks.

Penalties for Breaking the Rules

Penalties for drivers’ hours offences can be severe:

• Fixed penalty notices of up to £300 per offence
• Court fines of up to £2,500 per offence
• Penalty points on your licence
• Prohibition notices preventing you from driving until you have taken sufficient rest
• In serious cases, imprisonment

Employers can also be prosecuted for causing or permitting drivers’ hours offences.

Learn More During Your CPC Training

Drivers’ hours rules are covered in detail during Driver CPC training. At GS Driver Training, our CPC courses include practical guidance on managing your hours effectively and staying compliant.

Questions about drivers’ hours? Call us on 01252 447808 — our team is happy to help.