Tachographs and Drivers' Hours

Tachographs record driving time, breaks, and rest periods. They are required for goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and passenger vehicles carrying 9+ passengers. Falsifying records is a criminal offence with up to 2 years imprisonment.

Tachograph requirements

Recording driving hours and rest periods

Tachographs record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work. They're mandatory for most commercial vehicles.

Key requirements:

Each driver must have a personal driver card
Download driver card data at least every 28 days
Download vehicle unit data at least every 90 days
Retain records for at least 1 year (3 years recommended)
Calibrate tachograph every 2 years

Driver card download: At least every 28 days
Vehicle unit download: At least every 90 days
Record retention: At least 1 year (3 years recommended)
Calibration: Every 2 years or after repair
Tachograph offence penalty: Up to £2,500 per offence

Driver Tachograph Cards

Digital tachograph driver cards for recording driving time

Application fee: £32
Validity: 5 years
Renewal fee: £32
Replacement (lost/stolen): £32
Processing time: 5 working days (online) or 15 days (post)
Requirement: Must carry card when using digital tachograph
One card per driver: Only one valid card at a time

Drivers' hours rules

Maximum driving and minimum rest periods

Maximum daily driving: 9 hours (can extend to 10 hours twice per week)
Maximum weekly driving: 56 hours
Maximum fortnightly driving: 90 hours
Break after driving: 45 minutes after 4.5 hours driving
Daily rest (normal): 11 consecutive hours
Daily rest (reduced): 9 hours (up to 3 times between weekly rests)
Weekly rest (normal): 45 consecutive hours
Weekly rest (reduced): 24 hours (must compensate within 3 weeks)

Domestic Drivers' Hours Rules

GB domestic rules for vehicles exempt from EU rules

GB domestic rules apply to drivers exempt from EU rules - typically vehicles on journeys under 50km radius or specific vehicle types. Less restrictive than EU rules.

Daily driving limit: 10 hours
Daily duty limit: 11 hours
Break requirement: 30 minutes after 5.5 hours work
Daily rest: 10 continuous hours in 24-hour period
Fortnightly rest: Must include one period of 24+ hours
Record keeping: Written records required (not tachograph)

Tachograph and Drivers' Hours Penalties

Penalties for tachograph and drivers' hours offences

Driving without tachograph: Up to £5,000 fine
Falsifying tachograph records: Up to 2 years imprisonment + unlimited fine
Failing to take required break: Fixed penalty £300 (driver)
Exceeding driving hours: Fixed penalty £300 (driver)
Causing/permitting (employer): Fixed penalty £300 per infringement
Serious/repeated infringements: Traffic Commissioner public inquiry
Court prosecution: Unlimited fine for serious offences

Compliance best practices

Download discipline: Set calendar reminders for vehicle (90 days) and driver card (28 days) downloads
Record retention: Keep all tachograph data for at least 12 months
Driver briefing: Ensure all drivers understand break and rest requirements
Infringement management: Monitor downloads for infringements and investigate causes

Legal basis

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Tachographs and Drivers' Hours

Compliance best practices

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Compliance best practices

Related guides in Driver CPC

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