New Drivers' Hours rules from April 11th 2007

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is providing guidelines to operators and drivers on the latest amendments to the European Union’s Drivers’ Hours Rules and Regulations governing driving and rest periods for drivers of lorries, buses and coaches. The new rules will came into effect on 11 April 2007.

The Regulation (EC 561/2006) is aimed at maintaining road safety, improving working conditions for vehicle crew and ensuring that transport operations are working to the same rules throughout the road transport sector in Europe.

The new Regulation applies to vehicles with a “Maximum Authorised Mass” exceeding 3.5 tonnes or the ability to carry 10 passengers including the driver, now bringing certain minibuses into the scope. All European Union Member States will be applying the Regulation to vehicles travelling either internationally or solely on journeys within their borders.

The new Regulation also aims to clarify and simplify the existing definitions, driving limits and requirements regarding breaks and rest. As an additional feature, the new rules will enable software developers to write tachograph analysis programmes more easily. Coupled with the introduction of digital tachographs, it will enable employers to more readily analyse records of driving and working time.

VOSA has produced a second edition (revised December 2006) of the Drivers' Hours and Tachograph Rules for Road Passenger Vehicles in the UK and Europe (PSV 375)  342kb (opens new window) and a supplementary up date  125kb (opens new window)