Drivers' Hours & Tachographs

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

• A6 hours
• B8 hours
• C5 hours 30 minutes of driving
• D4 hours 30 minutes✓

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?

• AOnly a single formal 45-minute stop taken in one block
• BAny time the engine is off
• CAt least 15 minutes of rest away from the cab✓
• DSwitching the tachograph to 'rest'

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
• B12 hours
• C11 hours✓
• D10 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?

• A56 hours✓
• B50 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 14 days
• BWithin six consecutive 24-hour periods (by day 6) of the end of the previous weekly rest period✓
• CEvery 21 days
• DOnly after 4 weeks

Answer: Regulation (EC) 561/2006 Article 8(6) requires a new weekly rest period to begin no later than the end of six consecutive 24-hour periods after the end of the previous weekly rest — i.e. by day 6, not a flat 'every 7 days'. If a reduced weekly rest is taken, the shortfall must be compensated and the gap between weekly rests must not exceed 14 days.

What is a digital tachograph used for?

• ARecording driving time, breaks, rest, and vehicle movement✓
• BMeasuring speed only
• 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 working week only
• BAt the start of each working day, before the first journey
• 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
• BLicence suspension
• CFines, licence suspension and possible vehicle impounding, depending on severity✓
• DA fine and possible impounding of the vehicle by DVSA

Answer: Exceeding drivers' hours can bring fines, vehicle impounding and licence suspension, with the outcome depending on how serious and how repeated the breach is.

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

• ARely on the unit's automatic recording
• 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?

• ARest is longer and breaks are shorter✓
• BNo difference
• CRest can be in any location; breaks must be at specific stops
• DBreaks must be away from the cab; rest can be in the cab

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?

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

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 must a driver do if their tachograph driver card becomes damaged, faulty, or is lost or stolen?

• AReport it to DVLA within 7 days, keep manual printouts of activity, and continue driving without the card for up to 15 days✓
• BThe driver can estimate their hours manually
• CThe vehicle must be stopped immediately
• DThe driver can continue without restrictions

Answer: If a driver's tachograph card is lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctions, they must report it to DVLA (the card-issuing authority) within 7 calendar days, obtain a printout at the start and end of each journey to record activity manually, and may continue driving without the card for up to 15 calendar days while a replacement is issued.

What is the maximum cumulative driving time across two weeks?

• A56 hours
• B100 hours
• C112 hours
• D90 hours✓

Answer: Over two consecutive weeks, the maximum driving is 90 hours. This prevents weekly limits being circumvented by alternating weeks.

How many times per week can a driver take a reduced rest period (9 hours instead of 11)?

• AOnce
• BUnlimited, provided the hours are made up later
• CTwice
• DThree times✓

Answer: Drivers can reduce their daily rest from 11 to 9 hours a maximum of 3 times per week. The lost hours must be compensated later.

What must be done with tachograph records?

• ADiscarded after use
• BKept in the vehicle
• CKept by the company for 1 year✓
• DSent to DVLA monthly

Answer: Tachograph records (whether on card or print-outs) must be kept by the transport company for at least 1 year for inspection by authorities.

Can a driver extend their driving time beyond the legal limits simply because they feel able to continue?

• AYes, for emergencies
• BYes, provided the driver still feels alert and rested
• CYes, if the transport manager gives written approval
• DNo, under any circumstances✓

Answer: No. The limits are legal maxima and feeling alert is not a defence. The only departure is Article 12 of Regulation 561/2006, which lets a driver exceed a limit solely to reach a safe stopping place — and it must be recorded on the tachograph with the reason.

What is the purpose of tachograph chart changes or card updates?

• ATracking vehicle location
• BPreventing fraud and ensuring accurate recording of hours✓
• CRecording employment changes and payroll
• DMonitoring fuel consumption

Answer: Tachograph updates prevent fraud and ensure hours are accurately attributed to the correct company and driver.

If a driver is required to remain on call during rest, is this still considered rest time?

• AOnly counts after 2 hours of on-call
• BNo, on-call time is not rest✓
• CPartially counts depending on circumstances
• DYes, fully counts as rest

Answer: On-call time does not count as rest time. The driver must be able to rest uninterrupted to get legal rest.

What is the penalty for operating without a valid tachograph?

• AThe vehicle is seized immediately at the roadside by DVSA
• BLicence revoked
• CFixed penalty notice and potentially serious fine✓
• DMinor fine only

Answer: Operating without a valid/working tachograph results in fixed penalty notices and potentially serious fines under UK traffic laws.

How should a driver record night-time rest in the tachograph?

• AAs driving time
• BAs break time
• CAs rest time✓
• DManually on a form

Answer: Night-time rest is recorded as rest time on the tachograph. This distinguishes it from breaks during the day.

What is considered work but not driving time?

• AChecking the vehicle
• BLoading/unloading cargo
• CVehicle maintenance
• DAll of the above✓

Answer: Work time includes checking, loading, maintenance, and other duties but is different from driving time for regulatory purposes.

Can a driver change their tachograph card manually?

• ANo, only authorised technicians can do this✓
• BOnly with a special tool supplied by the card issuer
• COnly at the beginning of a working day before driving
• DYes, at any time, as long as the driver keeps a written record

Answer: Tachograph cards can only be changed by authorised technicians. Tampering is illegal and constitutes fraud.

What is the consequence of a driver falsifying tachograph records?

• ACriminal offence with fines and potential imprisonment✓
• BSuspension of the vocational driving entitlement and nothing more
• CInternal disciplinary action by the employer and nothing further
• DWarning and retraining

Answer: Falsifying tachograph records is a criminal offence. Penalties include significant fines and potentially imprisonment.

If a vehicle crosses international borders, whose driving hours rules apply?

• AThe country of origin
• BEU/UK regulations apply regardless✓
• CThe country of destination
• DWhichever country has stricter rules

Answer: EU/UK driving hours regulations apply to all professional transport, regardless of borders. International vehicles must comply.

For how many days can a driver continue driving without their tachograph driver card while a replacement is arranged, following its loss, theft, or damage?

• A15 days✓
• B30 days
• C10 days
• D7 days

Answer: If a driver card is lost, stolen, or damaged, the driver may continue driving without it for up to 15 calendar days while a replacement is arranged with DVLA, provided manual printouts of activity are kept for each journey.