LEGAL DRIVING HOURS
for all Professional DRIVERS of VEHICLES inc HGV LGV.

The above illustration is a new device for the professional commercial driver.
THE DAVEY DRIVERS HOURS GUARD
See page on this web site.
If you are a coach driver PSV PCV or passenger vehicle driver and need to see your regs please click the link given below.
IMPORTANT NOTE. Questions on drivers hours can be sent to the webmaster on this site, HGV LGV PSV PCV, all professional drivers, we have a resident hours expert who has a great interest on this subject. If you fail to get the information you need write to me on any webmaster mail link or note webmaster@transportcafe.co.uk.
Take great care out there.
Passenger vehicle drivers rules & regs click here.

Department of the Environment,
Transport and the Regions

Drivers' Hours and Tachograph Rules for Goods
Vehicles in the UK and Europe
(GV262)

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PART A
General Notes - please read these first

1 HOW SHOULD I USE THIS BOOKLET?

This booklet provides advice to drivers and operators of goods vehicles whether used privately or commercially. It explains the rules for drivers' hours and the keeping of records, and replaces booklet GV 262 dated 8/98. It is not intended as legal advice. If you wish to check on the legal position, you should refer to the main legislation in Section F and, if necessary, seek legal advice. Within the UK either UK domestic or EC rules may apply. For international journeys either the EC or AETR rules may apply. Which set of rules apply depends on the type of driving and the type of vehicle being used and, for international journeys, the countries to be visited. Refer to the following questions of this part of the guide to work out which rules might apply and then refer to the detailed advice.

2 AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT I FOLLOW THE DRIVING HOURS AND TACHOGRAPH RULES CORRECTLY?

Yes, it is the responsibility of both drivers and employers to ensure that they comply with the drivers' hours and tachograph rules. Enforcement is for the Licensing Authorities, through the Vehicle Inspectorate's Examiners and the Police. There is at the time of publication of this booklet a maximum fine of £2,500 for breach of the drivers' hours rules and a maximum fine of £5,000 for failing to install or use a tachograph. Deliberate falsification of a tachograph chart can result in 2 years imprisonment/£5,000 fine. Convictions may be taken into account by Licensing Authorities in deciding whether to grant or renew an operator's licence or HGV driver's licence.

3 WHICH RULES DO I FOLLOW?

• EC rules apply to drivers of most goods vehicles (including dual purpose vehicles) where the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle, including any trailer or semi-trailer, exceeds 3.5 tonnes:
  - entirely within the UK; or
  - between the UK and other EC countries, namely:

  Austria	German Federal Republic	The Netherlands
  Belgium	Greece	Portugal
  Denmark	Irish Republic	Spain
  Finland	Italy	Sweden
  France	Luxembourg

  For exemptions from the EC rules see question 20

• UK domestic rules apply to drivers of goods vehicles in the UK which are exempt from the EC rules. But when travelling abroad in these vehicles, drivers must observe the national driving hours rules of the countries to be visited. The Embassies of these countries will be able to assist in establishing the rules that might: apply.
• AETR rules apply to the whole of any journey if any part of it passes through an AETR country, namely:

  Andorra	Kazakstan	Russia
  Azerbaijan	Latvia	Slovakia
  Belarus	Liechtenstein	Slovenia
  Bosnia & Herzegovina	Lithuania	Turkmenistan
  Bulgaria	Moldova	Uzbekistan
  Croatia	Norway	Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
  Czech Republic	Poland	Estonia
  Romania

  NB For journeys to other European countries not subject to either the EC or AETR rules such as Switzerland and Turkey the EC or AETR rules apply as described above in the Community but whilst travelling through the country concerned the domestic rules of that country must be observed. The Embassies of the countries to be visited will be able to assist in establishing the rules that might apply.

4 WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF WORKING 'DAYS''WEEKS' AND A 'FORTNIGHT'?

Days
Under the UK domestic rules 'days' are any periods of 24 hours. Under EC/AETR rules 'days' are any periods of 24 hours beginning with the resumption of other work or driving after the last daily (or weekly) rest period.

Weeks
Under EC/AETR and UK domestic rules 'weeks' are periods between 00-00 hours on Monday and 24-00 hours on the following Sunday.

Fortnight
Under EC/AETR and UK domestic rules a 'fortnight' is any two week period commencing 00-00 hours on Monday and ending on 24-00 hours on the Sunday, fourteen days later.

5 WHAT ARE THE RULES?

The rest of this guide gives details and one or two examples.

EC rules	UK Domestic rules
AETR rules
Other rules and legislation

6 WHAT IF I NEED FURTHER INFORMATION?

You can get more help from the Vehicle Inspectorate. Addresses and telephone numbers are given in Annex E, Your Trade Union or Trade Association may also be able to offer advice. Details of drivers' hours and record keeping requirements for passenger vehicle drivers are given in the booklet PSV 375 'Drivers driving Hours and Tachograph Rules for Road Passenger Vehicles in the UK and Europe' which you can get from the Vehicle Inspectorate.

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