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LGV study notes

Drivers Hours and Rest Periods

Drivers’ hours rules, breaks and rest, and keeping records with a tachograph.

What this topic covers

Drivers’ hours rules, breaks and rest, and keeping records with a tachograph. The full LGV & HGV Theory Test & Toolkit app contains 83 questions on this topic.

In the app's syllabus: Driving limits, Keeping records, Tachograph rules, Tiredness.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

Why are goods vehicle drivers’ hours of work controlled?

A. To encourage vehicle sympathy
B. To help road safety ✓ correct
C. To ensure fair road use
D. To improve vehicle security

Explanation: Drivers need to be alert at all times. Fatigue is a recognised danger for professional drivers, so working conditions are governed by assimilated (EU) rules. These set a maximum driving time and minimum requirements for rest and break periods. Setting limits on the length of time a driver can work combats fatigue and so helps road safety.

Example 2

Before starting driving, which of the following should you complete on the centre field of your tachograph chart?

A. The starting point of your day’s journey ✓ correct
B. Details of the goods carried
C. The name and address of your employer
D. The amount of daily rest taken prior to starting the shift

Explanation: Before starting your journey, you must record a number of items on your tachograph chart. One of these is where the journey begins.

Example 3

While you're driving, you notice your tachograph is not working. What should you do?

A. Stop immediately and do not drive until it's been repaired
B. Report it to the nearest police station
C. Phone the vehicle testing authority and report the fault
D. Continue your journey but make a manual record ✓ correct

Explanation: If you cannot return to base within a week of the tachograph becoming defective, it must be repaired during the journey. While it's broken, you must keep a manual record.

Example 4

Under assimilated (EU) rules, a driver must take regular breaks from driving. What maximum period of continuous driving is allowed?

A. 3 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 4.5 hours ✓ correct
D. 5.5 hours

Explanation: It's essential that you do not become drowsy through driving for excessively long periods. Assimilated (EU) rules are in place to prevent this. You must take a break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of continuous driving. Your work details must be available for inspection by enforcement staff. Make sure that you know the rules for the journey and the type of vehicle you're driving.

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