PCV Drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EU drivers' hours rules, what is the maximum daily driving time for a PCV driver?
- 8 hours
- 9 hours (Correct answer)
- 10 hours
- 11 hours
Correct answer: 9 hours
The maximum daily driving time is 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours no more than twice a week.
Under EU Regulation (EC) 561/2006, a PCV driver may drive up to 9 hours in a day. This can be extended to 10 hours, but no more than twice in any one week. Exceeding these limits is a serious offence and can result in prohibition of the vehicle and prosecution of the driver and operator.
Question 2: What is the maximum continuous driving period before a driver must take a break?
- 3 hours
- 3.5 hours
- 4 hours
- 4.5 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 4.5 hours
A driver must take a break after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes of driving.
EU drivers' hours rules require a minimum 45-minute break after no more than 4 hours and 30 minutes of driving. The break may be split into two parts: a first break of at least 15 minutes followed by a second of at least 30 minutes, taken in that order.
Question 3: What is the minimum daily rest period a PCV driver must normally take?
- 8 hours
- 9 hours
- 10 hours
- 11 hours (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 11 hours
The normal minimum daily rest is 11 consecutive hours.
Under EU rules, the normal minimum daily rest period is 11 consecutive hours. It can be reduced to 9 hours no more than three times between weekly rest periods, provided the reduction is compensated before the end of the following week.
Question 4: Which organisation in Great Britain is primarily responsible for enforcing drivers' hours rules at the roadside?
- The Police
- DVSA (Correct answer)
- VOSA
- Traffic Commissioners
Correct answer: DVSA
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is the primary roadside enforcement body for drivers' hours.
The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) enforces drivers' hours rules through roadside checks and operator compliance visits. They can prohibit vehicles and refer serious cases to the Traffic Commissioners, who can suspend or revoke operators' licences.
Question 5: A digital tachograph card belongs to whom?
- The vehicle operator
- The licensing authority
- The individual driver (Correct answer)
- The DVSA
Correct answer: The individual driver
The driver card is personal to the individual driver and must not be used by anyone else.
A digital tachograph driver card is issued to and owned by the individual driver. It stores driving activity data and must be inserted whenever the driver is at the wheel. Using another person's card or allowing someone to use yours is a criminal offence.
Question 6: Under EU rules, what is the maximum weekly driving time for a PCV driver?
- 45 hours
- 48 hours
- 56 hours (Correct answer)
- 60 hours
Correct answer: 56 hours
The maximum driving in any single week is 56 hours.
EU Regulation 561/2006 sets the maximum weekly driving time at 56 hours. Over any two consecutive weeks, a driver must not exceed 90 hours in total. This ensures that a driver who drives the maximum in one week (56 h) is limited to 34 h in the following week.
PCV Drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules 1
Under EU drivers' hours rules, what is the maximum daily driving time for a PCV driver?