Drivers Hours

It is a legal requirement for drivers of most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes permissible maximum weight to keep records of the time they spend driving, their break and rest periods and other periods of duty. The purpose of keeping such records is to ensure that both EU and British drivers' hours laws are being observed.

There are four principle types of driving to which drivers' hours regulations apply in the United Kingdom.

National Driving

This applies to most goods vehicles. It occurs where driving takes place solely within the United Kingdom. It is based on EU Regulation 561/06.

International Driving

This applies to journeys outside the United Kingdom to other EU countries. EU Regulation 561/06 applies during the entire journey.

Domestic Driving

This applies to journeys solely within the United Kingdom involving vehicles which are exempt from the provisions of the EU Regulations 561/06. Such vehicles are, however, subject to the requirements of the Transport Act 1968.

European Agreement of International Transport (A.E.T.R.)

IMPORTANT:
A.E.T.R. driving hours used to differ from Community regulations but recently they have been brought in line.

The main point about A.E.T.R. regulations is that if a journey passes through or to any of the Countries in the EC or C.I.S., the whole of that journey is subject to the regulations.

These courses are designed for new and existing drivers to make sure that they are fully converse with drivers' hours and records and it also helps the operator to keep abreast of his legal responsibilities under the Operator's Licensing Rules.

Basic Content:

Definition driver / time - Maximum driving before break - Break from driving - Maximum daily driving time - Maximum fortnightly driving time - Daily rest - Weekly rest - Emergencies - Trains and ferry boats - Bonus schemes - Exemptions - Offences - Checking records - Retention records - Completing records - Tachograph charts - Responsibility driver / operator.