Drivers' Hours Law: What You Need to Know

On April 11th 2007 Drivers’ Hours Law Regulation 561/2006 will replace Regulation 3820/85. As a result, drivers and operators will face considerable changes. To help support the industry through the transition, Tachodisc has linked with roadtransport.com to produce this three-page micro site to tell you exactly what you need to know, and provide you a forum to ask questions and seek advice. Of course you can also visit Tachodisc's website if you need any more assistance.

How will the changes affect me?

Elements of the new Drivers’ Hours Law are considerably more restrictive than the current legislation, so drivers and operators will be significantly affected. The main points to note are:

• After a driving period of 4.5 hours a driver must take an uninterrupted break of no less than 45 minutes; however, this break may be replaced with a break of at least 15 minutes followed by a 30 minute break within the 4.5-hour period.
• Permitted daily driving totals remain the same, 9 hours per day, which may be increased to 10 hours twice in a fixed week.
• The weekly driving total must not exceed 56 hours, and in any two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours.
• Drivers must take a (regular) daily rest period of at least 11 hours in a 24 hour period, however this may be reduced to no less than 9 hours (non regular) three times between any two weekly rest periods.  Note, no compensation is required.
• A regular daily rest period can also be taken in two separate periods, the first period being at least 3 hours and the second at least 9 hours.
• After no more than 6 successive periods of 24 hours following the last weekly rest period, the driver must take a weekly rest that amounts to 45 hours (regular), but can be reduced to no less than 24 hours (non regular) at base or away from base.
• A full regular 45 hours rest is required in any two consecutive weeks.
• Any reduction in weekly rest must be compensated by the end of the third week following the week in question.
• Currently drivers only have to keep tachograph records for days on which they are driving, however from 11^th April drivers needs to keep a record of both driving and non driving days within a fixed week, where in scope driving has occurred. The record should include all periods of availability and other work including work carried out for any other employer.

A more detailed explanation of the law

Operations Coming in scope of the new regulations

There is a total of 29 categories of vehicle and operations which will come into scope for the first time, these include:

• Vehicles or vehicle combinations over 7.5 tonne maximum permissible mass used for non commercial carriage of goods
• Specialised breakdown vehicles operating outside a 100km of their base.
• Vehicles used in connection with refuse collection and disposal which are not engaged in door-to-door household refuse operations
• Vehicles with between 10 and 17 seats used in the for the commercial carriage of passengers.

A full list of the vehicles coming in scope on 11^th April

9 categories which will fall out of scope - a full listing

For those working with in scope vehicles, the new Drivers’ Hours Law cannot be avoided, so make sure that you know what it means and how it will affect you before it becomes mandatory on April 11th.

• Of course Tachodisc has a full range of products, software, services and training to help you through the change in Drivers’ Hours Law, as well as in the continued transition to digital tachographs. Please call Tachodisc’s expert team on 01925 283328, email sales@tachodisc.co.uk or visit www.tachodisc.co.uk if you would like to find out more.
  

• Part 1: What You Need to Know
• Part 2: Your Questions Answered
• Part 3: What the Law Says