From Monday 5 March 2018, DVSA traffic examiners will start issuing on-the-spot fines for all drivers hours offences committed over the last 28 days, meaning that you could be fined up to £1,500 in a single check if you’ve consistently broken the rules!!
These new rules will also apply to drivers who do not live in Great Britain and if found to have broken the rules they will need to pay any fines immediately before being allowed to continue on their journey, The DVSA will immobilise their vehicle until they have paid.
Since 1 November 2017, drivers can now be fined up to £300 if they spend their full weekly rest break in their vehicle in places where it causes a problem. For example, if a lorry driver spends their full break in the cab of their lorry in a layby.
These new powers mean the enforcement authorities will be more able - and more likely - to take action against all drivers who are found to have repeatedly flouted these critical road safety laws.
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.
Drivers hours rules can be very confusing and you may have questions such as:
How many hours can you work in a day?
How many hours are you legally allowed to drive in a day?
How many 15 hour days can I drive?
Rest breaks can also be a minefield along with correct entries on tachographs.
You can find all the answers you need with our online courses. From just £10 our short fully interactive courses can help understand your legal responsibilities and what you need to do to adhere them. We also show you how!
Check out our online courses by clicking the links below
Understanding Drivers Hours & The Working Time Directive https://www.ntponlinelearning.co.uk/courses/drivers-hours-working-time-directive
Managing Driver Infringements - Tachographs, Manual Entries, EU Driver Hours and Rest Periods for Road Haulage