DTT HGV Drivers Hours 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'split daily rest' under EU drivers' hours rules?
- A daily rest taken in two separate periods: the first at least 3 hours and the second at least 9 hours, totalling at least 12 hours (Correct answer)
- Sleeping for 6 hours, working, then sleeping another 6 hours
- Any rest that is interrupted
- Resting for 11 hours but at two different locations
Correct answer: A daily rest taken in two separate periods: the first at least 3 hours and the second at least 9 hours, totalling at least 12 hours
A split daily rest consists of two periods: the first period must be at least 3 consecutive hours and the second at least 9 consecutive hours, giving a total of at least 12 hours. The 3-hour period must be taken first.
Question 2: How often must a regular weekly rest period of at least 45 hours be taken?
- At least once in every two consecutive weeks — you cannot have two consecutive reduced weekly rests (Correct answer)
- Every week without exception
- Once a month
- Only when the driver feels tired
Correct answer: At least once in every two consecutive weeks — you cannot have two consecutive reduced weekly rests
In any two consecutive weeks, a driver must take at least two weekly rest periods, one of which must be a regular rest of at least 45 hours. The other may be reduced to 24 hours, but the reduction must be compensated within three weeks.
Question 3: What are the driver's responsibilities regarding tachograph records when on holiday or sick leave?
- The driver must use the manual entry facility to record these periods on the tachograph or use attestation forms signed by the employer (Correct answer)
- No recording is needed for non-working days
- The employer records everything automatically
- The driver must carry a doctor's note at all times
Correct answer: The driver must use the manual entry facility to record these periods on the tachograph or use attestation forms signed by the employer
Drivers must be able to account for all time, including holidays, sick leave, and days driving vehicles exempt from tachograph rules. Attestation forms (EC form) or manual entries on the tachograph/driver card must cover these periods.
Question 4: A driver took a reduced weekly rest of 24 hours last week (instead of the regular 45 hours). How must this reduction be compensated?
- The 21-hour reduction must be added as a single block to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week following (Correct answer)
- No compensation is required
- The driver must work 21 fewer hours the following week
- The driver must take two regular weekly rests the following week
Correct answer: The 21-hour reduction must be added as a single block to another rest period of at least 9 hours before the end of the third week following
The 21-hour reduction (45 - 24 = 21 hours) must be attached as a single block to another rest period of at least 9 hours. This compensation must be taken before the end of the third week following the week in which the reduced rest was taken.
Question 5: Under EU regulations, which vehicles are exempt from drivers' hours and tachograph rules?
- Vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (with some exceptions), emergency vehicles, and vehicles used for certain specified purposes (Correct answer)
- All vehicles under 7.5 tonnes
- Only passenger cars
- No vehicles are exempt
Correct answer: Vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes (with some exceptions), emergency vehicles, and vehicles used for certain specified purposes
Exemptions include vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW (though this is being reduced for international transport), emergency vehicles, military vehicles, and vehicles used for specific purposes like agricultural operations, road maintenance, and driving instruction.
Question 6: What is the Working Time Directive (2002/15/EC) and how does it differ from the drivers' hours regulations?
- It limits total working time (including non-driving work) to an average of 48 hours per week and restricts night work — separate from the driving time limits (Correct answer)
- It is the same as the drivers' hours regulations
- It only applies to office workers, not drivers
- It only applies to self-employed drivers
Correct answer: It limits total working time (including non-driving work) to an average of 48 hours per week and restricts night work — separate from the driving time limits
The Working Time Directive limits total working time (driving + other work) to an average of 48 hours per week (over 4 months), caps night work at 10 hours in a 24-hour period, and requires 30-minute breaks after 6 hours of work. This is IN ADDITION to drivers' hours rules.
DTT HGV Drivers Hours 2
What is a 'split daily rest' under EU drivers' hours rules?