Journey Times & Distance Limits

  • Attempting to cover excessive distances in single unbroken journeys by road is a significant cause of driver fatigue leading to accidents. There should be clear limits on maximum driving per day, per week, per month and per year.
  • Support maximum mileages with clear policies that encourage staff to take overnight stops, or ensure that the driving can be shared.

Drivers' hours

  • If your drivers operate under the European Union drivers' hours and tachograph rules, they are subject to working time provisions within the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations (self-employed drivers are exempt until 2009). Drivers of vehicles which are exempt from the EU drivers' hours normally fall within the scope of separate UK domestic legislation on drivers' hours and are subject to certain aspects of the main working time regulations (see DTI website for more details).
  • You need to establish what rules and regulations apply to the work your drivers are undertaking and ensure that they maintain proper tachograph records.
  • Further information on drivers' hours can be obtained from the VOSA website.