DriverWell work information

Drivers' hours and working time: know which question you are asking.

Driving time, breaks, daily and weekly rest, total working time and periods of availability are related, but they are not all the same thing. Use current official guidance and your organisation's procedures for the rules that apply to your work.

This is information and signposting, not a legal calculation or compliance verdict. Rules can depend on the vehicle, journey, country, operator, contract and the work you do. Do not use this page while driving.

Four things that are easy to mix up

This is a simple orientation, not a substitute for the official rules or the records you are required to keep.

Drivers' hours

This is the framework that covers driving time, breaks and daily and weekly rest for the rules that apply to your work.

Road Transport Working Time

This is a separate framework concerned with working time, including the wider work around driving. It is not replaced by drivers' hours rules.

Other work and periods of availability

Loading, administration, waiting and other activities may need to be classified differently. Check the current official guidance and your operator's process when you are unsure.

Fatigue and safe decisions

Following a recorded-hours limit does not itself settle whether someone feels sleepy or safe. Follow safety procedures and raise a concern if you are not fit to continue safely.

If you are unsure what applies

  1. 1. Check the official rule source. Start with the links below rather than an old screenshot, social post or memory.
  2. 2. Check your records and local procedure. Use the current tachograph, working-time and operator processes that apply to the work.
  3. 3. Ask the right person. A transport manager, trade union or suitable qualified adviser can help when the rule set or classification is unclear.
  4. 4. Put safety first. If you are sleepy, impaired or cannot continue safely, follow the safety procedure and seek appropriate assistance. DriverWell cannot clear anyone to drive.

Use the current official guidance

Drivers' hours: assimilated rules

Current GOV.UK starting point for driving time, breaks and rest under the assimilated rules.

Open official guidance

Drivers' hours: GB domestic rules

Current GOV.UK starting point for work that falls under GB domestic rules.

Open official guidance

Working time rules for mobile workers

Government guidance on separate working-time rules for lorry, bus and coach drivers and crew.

Open official guidance

DVSA drivers' hours and tachographs

Practical official guidance for goods-vehicle operations, including the rules that may apply.

Open official guidance

Tachograph Help

Find DriverWell's practical starting point for tachograph information.

Open Tachograph Help

Awareness learning

Use source-linked DriverWell awareness learning. It is not legal advice or accredited training.

Open learning

Journey and site safety

Find a practical route for safe journeys, unfamiliar sites and raising a safety concern.

Open safety information