As an HGV driver in the UK, you’re responsible for transporting goods across the country, sometimes for long hours at a time. While this job comes with its rewards, it also comes with rules—particularly around driving hours. These regulations are crucial for keeping you safe on the road and ensuring you're not overworked. Here’s a simple guide to understanding the rules around HGV driving hours in the UK, from a driver’s point of view.
What Are the Rules for HGV Drivers’ Hours in the UK?
In the UK, there are strict rules about how long you can drive each day and week. These rules are part of both UK domestic laws and EU regulations, even after Brexit, and apply to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. The main goal is to protect your health, reduce fatigue, and keep everyone on the road safe. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.
Key Rules to Know
As a driver, it’s essential to understand your limits when it comes to driving hours. Here’s a quick rundown of the main regulations:
Daily Driving Limits:
You can drive up to 9 hours in a day, but if you need to, this can be extended to 10 hours, though only twice a week. These driving hours are tracked from when the engine is running and the vehicle is in motion.
Weekly Driving Limits:
In a single week, you cannot exceed 56 hours of driving. Over a two-week period, the total mustn’t go over 90 hours. These limits help you manage your time and keep you from burning out.
Rest Periods:
You’re required to take at least 11 hours of rest every 24 hours. This is important for recharging your body and mind. However, you can reduce this rest period to 9 hours up to three times a week, but you’ll need to make up for that lost time with extra rest on other days.
Breaks During Driving:
After driving for 4.5 hours cumulatively (even if it's broken up into smaller chunks), you must take a 45-minute break. You can split this into two shorter breaks—one 15-minute and one 30-minute. This is important for keeping your focus sharp and staying safe on the road.

Why Are These Rules Important?
As a driver, you know how exhausting the job can be. The longer you drive without a break, the more your concentration starts to slip, and the greater the risk of accidents. These rules are designed to keep you safe and reduce the chance of fatigue-related accidents, which is especially important when you're on the road for long hours. By following these regulations, you can be sure you’re looking after both your health and your safety, as well as the safety of others on the road.
What Happens If Drivers Break the Rules?
The penalties for not following these rules can be serious. If you exceed the daily or weekly driving limits, you could face fines or even be banned from driving. Employers who push drivers to work beyond the legal limits can also be fined, and their operations could be investigated.
Breaking the rules not only leads to penalties, but it also puts you at greater risk of an accident. The goal is to keep you fresh and alert—anything less puts everyone at risk.
Conclusion
As an HGV driver, understanding your working hours is key to staying safe, healthy, and compliant with the law. These regulations are in place to help protect you, ensuring you’re not overworked and that you have the time you need to rest. If you ever feel like you're being asked to work beyond these limits, it’s important to know your rights and stay within the legal driving hours. After all, your safety should always come first.
Comentários