Drivers Hours Regulations April 2007

On the 11th of April 2007 modifications to the Drivers Hours legislation came into force. Below are some of the new regulations that will affect drivers on a daily basis. One important point to remember is that under the new regulations some vehicles that were previously "out of scope" will now be subject to Tachograph and Driver's Hours regulations.


Daily Driving
Maximum of 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week


Weekly Driving
Maximum of 56 hours


Fortnightly Driving
Maximum of 90 hours in any two-week period


Breaks From Driving
45 minute break after no more than 4 ½ hours driving. The break can be divided into two periods, the first at least 15 minutes long & second at least 30 minutes


Daily Rest
11 hours which can be reduced to a minimum of 9 hours no more than 3 times between weekly rests. The rest must be completed within 24 hours, starting from the end of the last daily or weekly rest period


Split Daily Rest
This may be taken in two periods, first at least 3 hours long, the second at least 9 hours


Multi- Manning
9 hours daily rest must be taken within a period of 30 hours which 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
A regular (at least 11 hours) daily rest period may be interrupted not more than twice by other activities of not more than 1 hour in total, provided the driver is accompanying a vehicle which is travelling by ferry or train & the driver has access to a bunk or couchette.


Weekly Rest
A weekly rest period must start no later than at the end of 6 x 24 hour periods from the end of the previous weekly rest period.

In any 2 consecutive weeks a driver must take at least:
- 2 regular weekly rest periods of at least 45 hours each
OR
- 1 regular weekly rest period and 1 reduced weekly rest period (of at least 24 hours)

A weekly rest period that falls in 2 weeks may be counted in either week, but not in both.

Any reductions must be compensated by an equivalent period of rest taken en bloc before the end of the third week following the week in question. Rest taken as compensation shall be attached to another rest period of at least 9 hours.

Note: A week is defined as a fixed period which starts midnight Sunday / Monday


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