How long you can drive
9 hours a day, 10 twice a week, 56 a week, 90 a fortnight.
Read the ruleThe TachoClear reading room
Understand the shift ahead.
Driving time, breaks, rest and working time, explained with the source behind each rule. Start with the question you need to answer.
The rules, one question at a time.
These are the same explanations available offline in TachoClear. Each article sets out its scope, source and the date it was checked.
Split breaks
At least 15, then at least 30 — in that order, or it doesn't count.
Read the ruleAvailability is not automatically a break
Waiting you knew about is a POA. It is not automatically a break.
Read the ruleDaily rest: your three options
11 hours, 9 hours three times, or 3 then 9.
Read the ruleWeekly rest and paying it back
45 hours, or 24 with the difference owed.
Read the ruleThe six-times-24-hours rule
Your weekly rest must start within 144 hours of the last one ending.
Read the ruleMulti-manning
Declare the co-driver evidence, first-hour boundary and 30-hour rest window.
Read the ruleFerry and train crossings
When a rest can be interrupted, and by how much.
Read the ruleMixing GB and assimilated days
TachoClear withholds mixed-rulebook output because both GB domestic and assimilated/AETR limits can matter.
Read the ruleGB domestic passenger rules are outside this calculation
Passenger vehicles use a different GB domestic rulebook; TachoClear asks you to confirm Goods instead of applying goods limits.
Read the ruleInternational work
Two reduced weekly rests need route and operator evidence.
Read the ruleNight work
Night work caps the 24-hour total at 10 hours, using the window for your vehicle.
Read the ruleWorking Time breaks vs driving breaks
Two rulebooks, three separate break rules.
Read the ruleUnforeseen events
Two concessions, both for genuine surprises only.
Read the ruleTravelling to the vehicle
Getting to a lorry that isn't at base is other work.
Read the ruleWhat the tachograph itself needs at borders
Country entries are a tachograph-recording duty, not an hours rule.
Read the ruleOff-road driving
Whether it counts as driving depends on the regime.
Read the ruleWhat enforcement can check
Today plus 28 days — or 56 on UK–EU international work — and how penalties are graduated.
Read the ruleAgency work and second jobs
Other work is other work, whoever you do it for.
Read the ruleDriver CPC and your card
35 hours every five years, and what to do if it lapses.
Read the rule