DfT Extends GB's Drivers' Hours Relaxation

To help facilitate the movement of essential goods, the Department for Transport introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of both the EU and GB drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales.

This was in response to increased pressures on local and national supply chains, due to unprecedented circumstances stemming from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Those relaxations have since been extended several times.

This relaxation began on 23 March and was due to end 23:59 on Sunday 31 May 2020.

A specific review of the continuation of the relaxation past 31 May has been conducted and based on the current evidence, the relaxation of the GB domestic drivers’ hour rules will continue until 23:59 on Sunday 14 June 2020.

The separate relaxation of the EU drivers’ hours rules expired at 23:59 on Sunday 31 May 2020. The Department for Transport have said they will continue to keep the situation under review.

Relaxation of GB drivers’ hours rules

The GB drivers’ hours rules can be temporarily relaxed as follows:

• replacement of the GB duty time limit of 11 hours with 12 hours

• replacement of the GB daily driving time limit of 10 hours with 11 hours

Drivers can only take advantage of this temporary relaxation 5 days in any 7-day period, and must take a rest period of 24 hours within the same 7-day period.

Who can use the relaxation

Anyone driving under the GB drivers’ hours rules and transporting goods by road can use the relevant relaxations where necessary.

Although the relaxations are not limited to specific sectors or journeys; they should only be used where necessary, otherwise normal drivers’ hours rules should apply.

Using the relaxation

It is important to make clear that driver safety must not be compromised. Drivers should not be expected to drive whilst tired - employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their employees and other road users.

More information and the latest guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-drivers-hours-relaxations