Part of our Operator Questions series. The 11 and 9 hour daily rules, 45 and 24 hour weekly rests, compensation deadlines, and why a long shift can trigger a reduced rest on its own.
This is one of the questions we're regularly asked by transport managers and operators - so here's the straight answer from our analysts.
Under assimilated EU rules (Regulation (EC) 561/2006 Article 8), HGV drivers in the UK must take a minimum of 11 hours of uninterrupted daily rest, reducing to 9 hours uninterrupted no more than three times between weekly rests. Weekly rest must be at least 45 hours uninterrupted, allowing a reduction to at least 24 hours uninterrupted once every fortnight, with the difference compensated in full attached to a daily or weekly rest before the end of the third week in question. (DVSA Guidance, Sections 1.5 and 1.6).
Reduced daily rests may be recorded via total duty time or rest recorded between duty periods. Operators must account for both data points otherwise risk falling foul of the regulation.
Duty time less than 13 hours equals a regular daily rest if a regular daily rest is actually recorded (11 hours or more). Duty time greater than 13 hours but less than 15 hours is a reduced daily rest regardless of the actual rest length (15 hours duty = max 9 hours rest in a 24 hour fixed period). Any duty past 15 hours is an immediate daily rest infringement. Reduced daily rests do not require compensating unlike reduced weekly rests (see below).
The fixed period of 24 hours commences at the start of the duty period, offering a maximum of 15 hours of duty and a minimum of 9 hours of rest, totalling 24 hours, with both requiring completion before the 24 hours has lapsed.
Accounting for actual rest recorded before the start of the following duty period, drivers may still trigger reduced rests if scheduling interrupts the above cycle.
For example: Driver duty from 6:00 - 18:30 (12 ½ hours of duty) = Regular daily rest.
Next duty commences at 04:00 (09 ½ hours of rest) = Reduced daily rest triggered.
Reduced weekly rests are slightly different. A standard weekly rest is at least 45 hours uninterrupted, reducing to at least 24 hours uninterrupted. The difference must be compensated by the end of the third week in question in a single block attached to a daily or weekly rest, not incrementally to make up the difference. One full weekly rest must be recorded in every two-week period.
Split daily rests must be taken as 3 hours and 9 hours, totalling 12 hours. This is not interchangeable and must be recorded in full before completion of 24 hours from the start of the duty period.
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