CPC Drivers Hours and Tachographs — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EU rules (retained in UK law), what is the maximum daily driving time for an HGV driver?
- 8 hours
- 9 hours (extendable to 10 hours twice per week) (Correct answer)
- 11 hours
- 12 hours
Correct answer: 9 hours (extendable to 10 hours twice per week)
The maximum daily driving time is 9 hours, which can be extended to 10 hours no more than twice in any one week. This rule is retained from EU Regulation 561/2006 and remains in force in the UK.
Question 2: After how many hours of continuous driving must a driver take a break?
- 3 hours
- 4 hours 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 5 hours
- 6 hours
Correct answer: 4 hours 30 minutes
After 4 hours 30 minutes of driving, a driver must take a break of at least 45 minutes. This break can be split into a first break of at least 15 minutes followed by a second break of at least 30 minutes.
Question 3: What is the minimum daily rest period for an HGV driver under UK/EU rules?
- 8 hours
- 9 hours (reduced) or 11 hours (regular) (Correct answer)
- 10 hours
- 12 hours
Correct answer: 9 hours (reduced) or 11 hours (regular)
The regular daily rest period is 11 consecutive hours, which can be reduced to 9 consecutive hours no more than three times between weekly rest periods. The rest must be taken within each 24-hour period.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a digital tachograph?
- To measure fuel consumption
- To record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work (Correct answer)
- To navigate using GPS
- To monitor tyre pressure
Correct answer: To record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work
A digital tachograph records a driver's driving time, breaks, rest periods, other work, and periods of availability. It ensures compliance with drivers' hours regulations and can be inspected by DVSA enforcement officers.
Question 5: How many days' worth of records must a driver carry when using a digital tachograph card?
- The current day only
- The current day plus the previous 28 days (Correct answer)
- The previous 7 days
- The previous 90 days
Correct answer: The current day plus the previous 28 days
A driver must carry their digital tachograph card containing records for the current day plus the previous 28 calendar days. Additionally, any analogue charts used during that period must also be carried.
Question 6: What is the maximum weekly driving time under UK/EU rules?
- 48 hours
- 56 hours (Correct answer)
- 60 hours
- 70 hours
Correct answer: 56 hours
The maximum weekly driving time is 56 hours. Additionally, the total driving time over any two consecutive weeks must not exceed 90 hours.
CPC Drivers Hours and Tachographs
Under EU rules (retained in UK law), what is the maximum daily driving time for an HGV driver?