PCV Drivers Hours 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EU/UK drivers' hours rules, what is the maximum daily driving time for a PCV driver?
- 8 hours
- 9 hours, which can be extended to 10 hours twice a week (Correct answer)
- 10 hours every day
- 11 hours with a co-driver
Correct answer: 9 hours, which can be extended to 10 hours twice a week
Under the retained EU drivers' hours rules (now UK domestic), the maximum daily driving time is 9 hours. This can be extended to 10 hours, but no more than twice in any fixed week. This ensures drivers do not become fatigued and endanger passengers.
Question 2: After driving for 4.5 hours continuously, what break must a PCV driver take?
- A 15-minute break
- A 30-minute break
- A 45-minute break (Correct answer)
- A 60-minute break
Correct answer: A 45-minute break
After 4.5 hours of driving, a PCV driver must take a break of at least 45 minutes. This break can be replaced by two shorter breaks — the first of at least 15 minutes and the second of at least 30 minutes — taken during or at the end of the 4.5-hour period.
Question 3: What is the maximum weekly driving time permitted under UK drivers' hours 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. These limits are designed to prevent cumulative fatigue, which is particularly dangerous when carrying passengers.
Question 4: What is the minimum daily rest period for a PCV driver under UK rules?
- 8 consecutive hours
- 9 consecutive hours
- 11 consecutive hours, which can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests (Correct answer)
- 12 consecutive hours
Correct answer: 11 consecutive hours, which can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests
The minimum daily rest period is 11 consecutive hours. This can be reduced to 9 consecutive hours, but no more than three times between any two weekly rest periods. Alternatively, a split daily rest of 3 hours + 9 hours (totalling 12 hours) is permitted.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a tachograph in a PCV?
- To record the vehicle's fuel consumption
- To automatically record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work for enforcement of drivers' hours rules (Correct answer)
- To monitor the vehicle's speed only
- To track the vehicle's location via GPS
Correct answer: To automatically record driving time, breaks, rest periods, and other work for enforcement of drivers' hours rules
A tachograph records driving time, other work, periods of availability, and rest periods. It is a legal requirement for most PCVs and is used by enforcement authorities (DVSA and police) to check compliance with drivers' hours rules. Tampering with a tachograph is a serious criminal offence.
Question 6: When must a PCV driver take a weekly rest period?
- After every 5 days of driving
- After no more than 6 consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the last weekly rest (Correct answer)
- Every Sunday regardless of driving pattern
- Only when the driver feels tired
Correct answer: After no more than 6 consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the last weekly rest
A weekly rest must be taken after no more than six consecutive 24-hour periods following the end of the last weekly rest. A regular weekly rest is at least 45 hours. This can be reduced to 24 hours every other week, but the reduction must be compensated within the following three weeks.
PCV Drivers Hours 1
Under EU/UK drivers' hours rules, what is the maximum daily driving time for a PCV driver?