Driver's hours
At Y-Not we always try our best to fit in with the plans of a tour manager on the road, however, there will be occasions where, due to the new Drivers' Hours and Tachograph rules, it may not be possible to carry out certain journeys, some of the time.
The following information is a basic guide to help you to understand why your driver might politely say "No, sorry, I can't do that" when you ask to change a driving schedule!
Driving time.
"Driving time" is the duration of driving activity recorded by the recording equipment (tachograph) on board the vehicle. (It is illegal to drive the vehicle without using a valid tachograph.) Even a short period of driving under EU rules during any day by a driver will mean that he is in scope of the EU rules for the whole of that day and must comply with the daily driving, break and rest requirements; he will also have to comply with the weekly rest requirement and driving limit.
The maximum amount of driving time permitted per day is 9 hours, which can be increased to 10 hours twice a week. The maximum amount of driving time in one week is 56 hours and must not exceed 90 hours within a two weekly period. During any week a driver must not drive for more than 6 consecutive days.
Breaks.
A "break" is a period during which a driver may not carry out any driving or any other work and which is used exclusively for recuperation.
After a period of no more than 4.5 hours driving, a driver must immediately take a break of at least 45 minutes. Alternatively, a 4.5 hour driving period can be split by taking one break of at least 15 minutes followed by another break of at least 30 minutes at the end of the 4.5 hours driving time. For example the driver can drive for 2 hours, take a break of at least 15 minutes, drive for another 2.5 hours and take a break of at least 30 minutes, before continuing with the journey.
Obviously these break times are only required on long journeys, and more breaks can be taken if required. For longer journeys, having a relief driver will enable up to a maximum of 20 driving hours in one day.
Daily rest periods.
A driver must take a daily rest period of at least 11 continuous hours within each period of 24 hours. A rest period is an uninterrupted period where the driver may freely dispose of his time. A daily rest period may be reduced to 9 hours three times within a two week period.
(A daily rest period may be interrupted to enable driving on or off a ferry, but no more than twice in one rest period and for no longer than one hour in total. The total rest period must cover 11 hours plus the amount of time taken by any interruptions.)
Weekly rest periods.
A "regular" weekly rest period of no less than 45 continuous hours is required after no more than 6 consecutive working days. However, this can be replaced by a "reduced" weekly rest period of 24 hours provided that a "regular" rest period of 45 hours was taken the week before or will be taken a week later. For example, if a 45 hour rest was taken before a tour starts, a 24 hour rest can be taken after 6 days, provided the driver can take a 45 hour rest at the end of the following week. Any "reduced" rest period must be compensated for within the following three weeks by adding the amount of hours reduced to a weekly or daily rest period. If a tour involves travelling between two or more countries, excluding the home countries, the "6 days before a weekly rest" rule can be stretched to 12 days. Catch up rules still apply here so a driver weekly rest of 69 hours will be required after the 12 days. .
If you have any doubt as to whether a journey you want to plan can fit in with these rules, please contact Y-Not to discuss your ideas. Obviously, longer tours and journeys will require a relief driver at times to enable the regular driver to take his required breaks and rests and the cost of this will be included in your quote from Y-Not.
Further information on Drivers Legislation can be located at www.gov.uk/government/publications/rules-on-drivers-hours-and-tachographs-passenger-vehicles