EU rules

Even though the UK has left the EU, you may still need to follow EU rules on drivers’ hours and tachographs.

The EU rules apply if the maximum weight of your vehicle or vehicle combination is more than 3.5 tonnes and you’re driving either:

  • in the UK
  • to, from or through an EU country

Driving hours

The main EU rules on driving hours are that you must not drive more than:

  • 9 hours in a day - this can be extended to 10 hours twice a week
  • 56 hours in a week
  • 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks

You must record all driving you do under EU rules on a tachograph.

Breaks and rest

The main points of EU rules on breaks and rest are that you must take:

  • at least 11 hours rest every day - you can reduce this to 9 hours rest 3 times between any 2 weekly rest periods
  • an unbroken rest period of 45 hours every week - you can reduce this to 24 hours every other week
  • a break or breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes driving
  • your weekly rest after 6 consecutive 24-hour periods of working, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period taken

Coach drivers on an international trip can take their weekly rest after 12 consecutive 24-hour periods, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period taken.

If you’re driving goods vehicles on an international trip, you can take 2 consecutive reduced weekly rest periods (less than 45 hours) as long as these are taken:

  • outside the UK
  • outside your country of residence

Over a 4-week period, 2 of the weekly rest periods must still be of at least 45 hours.

For more details on rests and breaks read: