UK PCV Theory Test Drivers' Hours and Tachographs 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum daily driving time permitted for a PCV driver under EU/retained UK drivers' hours regulations?
- 8 hours, with no exceptions
- 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours on no more than twice a week (Correct answer)
- 10 hours on every working day
- 11 hours when carrying out an urgent public service
Correct answer: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours on no more than twice a week
The standard daily driving limit is 9 hours. This may be extended to 10 hours, but only twice in any one week — this flexibility is not a blanket allowance and must be recorded on the tachograph.
Question 2: After how many continuous hours of driving must a PCV driver take a break, and what is the minimum duration of that break?
- After 3.5 hours, a break of 30 minutes
- After 4 hours, a break of 30 minutes
- After 4.5 hours, a break of at least 45 minutes (Correct answer)
- After 5 hours, a break of 60 minutes
Correct answer: After 4.5 hours, a break of at least 45 minutes
Drivers must not drive for more than 4.5 hours without taking a break of at least 45 minutes. This break may be split into a first period of 15 minutes followed by a second of 30 minutes — but not the other way around.
Question 3: What must a PCV driver do if the tachograph develops a fault and cannot be repaired before the end of a journey?
- Stop the vehicle immediately and wait for a replacement
- Continue driving without any record, as the fault is the operator's responsibility
- Make legible manual entries on a temporary record sheet for all time groups until the unit is repaired (Correct answer)
- Switch to a paper chart from a previous journey to cover the period
Correct answer: Make legible manual entries on a temporary record sheet for all time groups until the unit is repaired
If the tachograph fails mid-journey, the driver must manually record all required time group data (driving, other work, availability, rest) on a temporary sheet. The unit must be repaired at the earliest opportunity, and at the latest when the vehicle returns to base.
Question 4: What is the minimum regular weekly rest period that a PCV driver must take?
- 24 consecutive hours
- 35 consecutive hours
- 45 consecutive hours (Correct answer)
- 48 consecutive hours
Correct answer: 45 consecutive hours
A regular weekly rest is at least 45 consecutive hours. It may be reduced to 24 hours (a reduced weekly rest) no more than twice in any fixed two-week period, provided the reduction is compensated in full before the end of the third week following.
Question 5: What is the maximum total driving time a PCV driver may accumulate over any two consecutive weeks?
- 80 hours
- 90 hours (Correct answer)
- 100 hours
- 112 hours
Correct answer: 90 hours
Even if a driver reaches the 56-hour weekly maximum in one week, the combined total across any two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours. This fortnightly cap prevents consistent exploitation of the higher weekly limit.
Question 6: When completing an analogue tachograph chart, what information must the driver enter manually before beginning use?
- Only their full name and the vehicle registration number
- Their name, the date, the place where use of the chart begins and ends, the vehicle registration, and odometer readings at start and end (Correct answer)
- Their name, driver's licence number, and the operator's name only
- The vehicle registration and their tachograph calibration card number
Correct answer: Their name, the date, the place where use of the chart begins and ends, the vehicle registration, and odometer readings at start and end
Before inserting the chart, the driver must write their name, the date, and the place where the journey starts. At the end of use they must add the finishing location and the odometer readings at both start and end. These manual fields are legally required and subject to inspection.
UK PCV Theory Test Drivers' Hours and Tachographs 1
What is the maximum daily driving time permitted for a PCV driver under EU/retained UK drivers' hours regulations?