Social Legislation and Labour Rules
Social Legislation and Labour Rules
This domain tests drivers’ hours, tachograph records, rest and working time. The examiner expects you to calculate compliance, not just quote limits.
Core rules
- Under EU/UK drivers’ hours, daily driving is normally 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice a week. Weekly driving is 56 hours and fortnightly driving is 90 hours.
- After 4.5 hours’ driving, a driver needs a 45-minute break, which may be split into 15 minutes then 30 minutes.
- Daily rest is normally 11 hours; it can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests. Weekly rest is normally 45 hours, with reduced weekly rest and compensation rules.
- Tachograph records must be complete, including manual entries. Drivers must carry and produce records on request; infringements must be managed.
- Working time rules cover mobile workers: average 48-hour week, night-work limits and rest breaks.
Worked example
A driver drives for 2 hours, takes a 15-minute break, then drives for 2 hours 30 minutes. Total driving is 4 hours 30 minutes, so the driver must take another 30-minute break before driving again. The earlier 15 minutes counts towards the 45 only because it was taken in the correct split. If the driver takes a 20-minute break instead, it does not satisfy the first part of the split and the full 45-minute break is needed before further driving.
Traps
Do not count loading or paperwork as a break. Do not assume a reduced daily rest can be taken every day. Do not forget that weekly rest compensation is attached to the following three weeks. Do not leave manual entries until the end of the day; record them when the card is inserted or ejected. Do not mix GB domestic rules with EU/UK rules without checking which regime applies.