How to understand drivers' hours and tachograph rules
Complying with these regulations is a legal necessity to ensure driver safety and maintain your commercial vehicle operator's licence.
The Bottom Line
If you operate commercial vehicles, you must ensure drivers do not exceed specific driving limits and take mandatory breaks and rest periods. Most vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with a tachograph, a device that automatically records speed, distance, and driving time. Failure to follow these rules can result in heavy fines, vehicle impounding, or the revocation of your operator's licence.
Which rules apply to you?
In the UK, there are two main sets of rules. Determining which applies depends on the weight of your vehicle and where you are driving:
- EU Rules: Generally apply to goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats, including when driving within the UK.
- GB Domestic Rules: Apply to most goods vehicles that are exempt from EU rules, such as those under 3.5 tonnes or those used in specific industries like emergency services or local waste collection.
The Core EU Driving Limits
Most new transport businesses will fall under EU rules. These are designed to prevent driver fatigue. Here is a summary of the key limits:
| Requirement | Limit |
|---|---|
| Daily driving limit | 9 hours (can be increased to 10 hours twice a week). |
| Weekly driving limit | Maximum 56 hours. |
| Two-week driving limit | Maximum 90 hours over any two consecutive weeks. |
| Breaks | 45 minutes for every 4.5 hours of driving. Can be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes. |
| Daily rest | 11 hours of continuous rest in a 24-hour period (can be reduced to 9 hours three times a week). |
| Weekly rest | 45 hours of continuous rest after no more than six 24-hour periods of work. |
Understanding Tachographs
A tachograph is the 'spy in the cab' that ensures you are following the rules. Modern vehicles are fitted with digital or smart tachographs. These record data onto a driver's smart card and the vehicle's internal memory.
As a business owner, you have several key responsibilities regarding tachographs:
- Driver Cards: Every driver must have their own individual driver card issued by the DVLA. They must never use someone else's card.
- Downloading Data: You must download data from driver cards at least every 28 days and from vehicle units at least every 90 days.
- Data Analysis: Simply having the data isn't enough. You must analyse it to check for infringements (e.g., a driver missing a break) and take action if you find them.
- Record Keeping: You must keep these records for at least 12 months and make them available to the DVSA or the police if requested.
Exemptions to the Rules
Some drivers are exempt from tachograph rules. For example, if you are driving a vehicle under 7.5 tonnes for the purpose of delivering materials or equipment used in the course of the driver's work (like a plumber in a van), and you stay within a 100km radius of your base, you may be exempt. However, you must still follow the GB domestic rules regarding duty time.
Practical Tips for Compliance
Always treat drivers' hours as a safety priority rather than a mathematical inconvenience. A tired driver is a danger to themselves and your business.
- Use Software: Invest in tachograph analysis software. These systems automatically flag when a driver has broken a rule, making it much easier to manage compliance.
- Driver Training: Ensure your drivers fully understand how to use the tachograph unit, including how to make 'manual entries' for work done away from the vehicle.
- Plan for Delays: When quoting jobs or planning schedules, always build in 'buffer time' for traffic. Never pressure a driver to exceed their hours to meet a delivery window.
- Daily Checks: Encourage drivers to check their remaining hours at the start of every shift to avoid accidental over-runs.
Created by hatch. • Updated on April 30, 2026