Drivers' Hours & Tachographs

What is the maximum driving time allowed before a compulsory rest break?

• A4 hours 30 minutes✓
• B5 hours 30 minutes
• C6 hours
• D8 hours

Answer: EU/UK law requires a compulsory 45-minute rest break (or 15+30 mins) after 4.5 hours of continuous driving. This prevents fatigue-related accidents.

What constitutes a break from driving?

• AAny time the engine is off
• BSwitching the tachograph to 'rest'
• CAt least 15 minutes of rest away from the cab✓
• DOnly formal 45-minute stops

Answer: A break involves at least 15 minutes of rest away from the driving position. Time spent in traffic or stationary in the cab does not count as a break.

How long is the mandatory daily rest period?

• A8 hours
• B10 hours
• C11 hours✓
• D12 hours

Answer: EU/UK regulations require 11 consecutive hours of rest per day. This can be reduced to 9 hours a maximum of 3 times per week.

What is the maximum driving time in a single week?

• A50 hours
• B56 hours✓
• C60 hours
• D70 hours

Answer: Maximum weekly driving is 56 hours. Over two consecutive weeks, the limit is 90 hours. This is enforced by digital tachographs.

When must a driver take a weekly rest period?

• AEvery 7 days✓
• BEvery 14 days
• CEvery 21 days
• DOnly after 4 weeks

Answer: A 45-hour weekly rest must be taken every 7 days. It can be deferred to the next week if necessary, but the total must not exceed 14 days.

What is a digital tachograph used for?

• AMeasuring speed only
• BRecording driving time, breaks, rest, and vehicle movement✓
• CTracking fuel consumption
• DMonitoring vehicle temperature

Answer: Digital tachographs automatically record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and vehicle movement. They prevent hours violations and provide data for enforcement.

How often must a driver insert their tachograph card?

• AAt the start of each day
• BAt the start of each week
• CBefore every journey
• DEvery time the ignition is turned on✓

Answer: The tachograph card must be inserted every time the ignition is turned on. This ensures all driving is recorded accurately.

What is the penalty for exceeding driving hours regulations?

• AWarning only
• BFine and possible vehicle impound
• CLicense suspension
• DBoth B and potential C depending on severity✓

Answer: Exceeding driving hours can result in fines, vehicle impound, and license suspension depending on the severity and frequency of violations.

If a driver makes a manual entry on a tachograph, what must they do?

• ANothing; it's automatically recorded
• BSign and date the entry
• CReport it to the transport company
• DBoth B and C✓

Answer: Manual entries must be signed, dated, and reported to the company. The company must keep records for 1 year. Manual entries are now rarely allowed.

What is the difference between rest and breaks?

• ANo difference
• BRest is longer and breaks are shorter✓
• CBreaks must be away from the cab; rest can be in the cab
• DRest can be in any location; breaks must be at specific stops

Answer: Breaks are shorter periods (at least 15 mins) away from driving. Rest periods are longer (at least 3 hours for daily rest) and can be taken in a bed.

Can a driver split their 45-minute compulsory break?

• ANo, it must be continuous
• BYes, as 15 minutes + 30 minutes✓
• CYes, into three 15-minute periods
• DYes, into any intervals the driver prefers

Answer: The 45-minute break can be split into 15 minutes + 30 minutes (with 15 mins away from driving). It cannot be split differently.

What happens if a driver's tachograph becomes faulty?

• AThe driver can continue without restrictions
• BThe driver must report it and may continue for up to 15 days✓
• CThe vehicle must be stopped immediately
• DThe driver can estimate their hours manually

Answer: If a tachograph fails, the driver must report it and may continue for up to 15 days while repairs are arranged. Manual records must be kept.