Drivers’ hours rules relaxed for those involved in Queen's funeral

The Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales for drivers involved in the delivery of Operation London Bridge during the National Mourning period.

This relaxation reflects the urgent case resulting from the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the need for substantial amounts of goods and numbers of personnel to be moved at short notice to support the main official ceremonial events taking place across Great Britain.

The relaxation of the rules applies from 4pm on 9 September 2022 until 11:59pm on 22 September 2022.

This relaxation does not apply to drivers in scope of the GB domestic drivers’ hours rules and therefore not subject to tachograph controls.

It says that driver safety must not be compromised. Operators and self-employed drivers must assess the risks of using the temporary relaxation and implement suitable control measures and/or mitigations, so that the safety of the driver and others is not compromised.

Transport managers should make sure that a risk assessment has been carried out and appropriate controls put in place. They should also continue to monitor and review where necessary, as long as the relaxation is used.

It is important to consider the risk of fatigue and the effect of the relaxation on shift patterns. Information about fatigue and shift work is available.

The retained EU drivers’ hours rules can be temporarily relaxed as follows:

Replacement of the normally permitted increase to daily driving limits from 9 to 10 hours up to twice in a week with one of 11 hours up to twice in a week. Practically, this means that a driver can drive for up to 11 hours on no more than 2 days in a single week, whilst all other daily driving limits remain at 9 hours.

Replacement of the requirement to take at least 2 weekly rest periods including 1 regular weekly rest period of at least 45 hours in a 2-week period, with an alternative pattern of weekly rest periods as specified below, and an increase to the fortnightly driving limit from 90 hours to 99 hours.

See the full set of changes here.