Drivers Hours and Rest Periods

EU & UK drivers hours rules, the digital tachograph and weekly rest.

What this topic covers

EU & UK drivers hours rules, the digital tachograph and weekly rest. The full PCV Theory Test app contains 56 questions on this topic, drawn from the official DVSA bank.

Worked examples

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

Example 1

Why are drivers hours under close control?

A. To keep to a delivery schedule
B. For fuel economy
C. To save wear and tear
D. For fair competition ✓ correct
E. For road safety ✓ correct
F. For safe working conditions ✓ correct

Explanation: Altering drivers’ hours records with intent to deceive, or tampering with the tachograph, is against the law and could lead to a prison sentence.

Example 2

When an enforcement officer keeps your tachograph records, the officer should sign the replacement chart with their

A. name ✓ correct
B. telephone number ✓ correct
C. home address
D. date of birth

Explanation: The enforcement officer should also record the number of charts retained. Alternatively, a receipt may be issued.

Example 3

Under EC rules your minimum daily rest is 11 hours. On three days of the week this may be reduced to

A. seven hours
B. eight hours
C. nine hours ✓ correct
D. ten hours

Explanation: Under EC rules you must have a minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours. A reduced daily rest period is any period of rest of at least 9 hours but less than 11 hours.

Example 4

You are making a journey with a co-driver. When the other person is driving you may show some of this time as

A. a daily rest period
B. a weekly rest period
C. a break in daily driving ✓ correct
D. driving time

Explanation: You may only record a break when you are not engaged in any other type of work. It is permissible to take a break on a doublemanned vehicle while the vehicle is driven by the other crew member. Any break must be a minimum of 15 minutes, otherwise it doesn’t count.

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