The document outlines the importance of regulating driver hours for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and large goods vehicles (LGVs) to prevent fatigue-related accidents, highlighting that a significant portion of serious crashes are linked to tired driving. It details the rules regarding maximum driving and working hours, required breaks, and rest periods, as well as the enforcement of penalties for violations. The document emphasizes the need for proper route planning and breaks to ensure driver safety and compliance with regulations.

1. Driver Hours
(driving time, working time, breaks
& rest periods)
A short demo-training lecture on drivers’ hours for HGVs and LGVs
Prepared by
A. Aljumily
(Nov., 2021)
Refat.A.70@outlook.com

2. A bit of background
• Do you know that 1 in 5 of all accidents and up to a
quarter of serious fatal crashes are sleep related
accidents ?
• Do you know that about to 40% of driving while
tired accidents involve goods vehicle (LGVs, HGVs,
and other vehicles over 3.5 tonnes)?
• Do you know that almost a quarter of injuries
caused by crashes involving HGVs/LGVs are fatal and
serious, compared to 1 in 8 for accidents as a
whole?

3. So why is this?

4. A bit of background…(cont’d)
Driving while tired can:
• Dull or reduce reaction times
• Impair judgment time
• Make drivers less coordinated
• Increase driver errors, e.g. running out of diesel

5. Driving Hours Controlled!
Drivers’ Hours rules were introduced years ago. They
are regularly reviewed to keep them up to date with
technology and innovation to improve safety and
reduce or prevent fatigue from occurring.

6. What are Driver Hours?
Drivers Hours are a set of rules apply to all
commercial drivers of heavy or large goods vehicles
(HGVs and LGVs) weighting more than 3.5 tonnes. It
dictates maximum driver’s hours, working time, and
required rest periods with the aim of reducing or
preventing driver fatigue and keep the GB roads safer.
Drivers’ Hours rules
The GB domestic rules
The EU rules

7. can be extended to 10 hours twice a week
Driving Hours
9 hours daily driving
Max. 56 hours weekly driving limit
Max. 90 hours fortnightly driving limit
EU Driver’s Hours Rules

8. EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)
can be continuous 45 min
or
can be split up into two periods: (split breaks) 15
min followed by 30 minutes.
Driver Hours Breaks
45 minutes break after 4.5 hours driving

9. can be reduced to 9 hours three times a week
Driver Hours Rest Period
11 hours regular daily rest
or
12 hours split regular daily rest can be taken into two
periods: 3 hours followed by 9 hours
EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)

10. EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)
can be reduced to 24 hours, at least one full rest is
taken in any fortnight
There should be no more than six consecutive 24
hour periods between weekly rests
Driver Hours Rest Periods
45 hours drivers’ weekly rest

11. EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)
can be extended to 15 hours three times a week
Working Time Activities
driving, loading/unloading, cleaning, maintenance,
daily vehicle check, waiting period, admin work, etc..

12. can be extended to a 26 week period
Working Time Directive
48 hours working time a week, averaged a 17 week
period
Max. 60 hours working time in one week (average 48
hours)
Max. 10 hours if night work is performed
EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)

13. EU Driver’s Hours Rules…(Cont’d)
A 6-Hour Rule
You can’t work (including driving and other kind of
work) for more than six hours without taking any
break
The 6-hour rule: You MUST have taken a break of at
least 15 min before working for the six hours

14. Confusing….?!
14

15. Mr. Simpson making a delivery
45 min
A 4.5 driving Recalculate B
15 min 30 min
A 2 driving 2.5 driving B
15 min (6 hour rule)
A 1 driving + 5 other work B
No break required yet
A 40 min driving + 2 other work B

16. Enforcement and penalties
• Drivers’ hours offences result in tired drivers, and
tired drivers are very dangerous.
• There are strict rules governing the amount of
hours that HGVs/LGVs can work
• There are tougher actions against tired lorry drivers
who break drivers’ hours rules and exceed their
driver hours
For more information see:
www.gov.uk. National statistics. Reported road casualties. Great Britain, annual report:2020.
www.moving.blog.gov.uk:2019

17. Enforcement and penalties
…(cont’d)
• From 5 March 2018, lorry drivers who drive tired will
be fined for every time they have done it in the last
28 days.
• HGVs and LGVs can be fined up to £300 if they are
caught breaking the driving hours’ rules. They can
also be prosecuted or have their vehicle immobilized.
• From Monday 5 March 2018, DVSA traffic examiner
will start issuing on-the-spot fines for any drivers’
hours offences committed in the last 28 days.
For more information see: www.gov.uk/guidance/drivers-hours-goods-vehicles/

18. So what can we do to get away from this?
18

19. 1. Route Planning
• Google maps
• Traffic England Web
• Maps
• Ask drivers

20. 1. Watch your driving time to reach
a suitable stopping place
• Truck Tech
• Driving and rest timer device

21. Watch your driving time…(Cont’d)
• Do Printout
• Note-making

22. 2. Stop & have a break

23. Having a bad day!
• Road works
• Accidents and lane closures
• Others

24. Printout & Explain

25. It’s time to remember!
A driver starts work at 0600 am. He/she waits for a
truck from the night driver for three hours before
getting into a truck to start driving.
*How long can the driver drive before taking a break?
Or what time the driver must take a break?
* How long the break time has to be?

26. Final Word!
Keep yourself out of trouble: ALWAYS watch your
driving time and take a break
Questions

27. Sources and References
Useful information can be found:
• WWW.gov.uk/government/news/drivers-hours-
changes-to-fines-for-commercial-drivers
• WWW.gov.uk/guidance/drivers-hours-vehicles/5-
enforcement-and-penalties
• https://assests.publishing.service.gov.uk/governme
nt/uploads/system/drivers-hours-working-time