As trainers and consultants, we are asked countless questions. Here are some of the more common questions drivers ask us during our CPC courses.
We will be adding to these drivers hours FAQs regularly. Is there a question you want to ask that's not listed here?
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So, without further ado...
Q: What is a ‘fixed week’?
A: A ‘fixed week’ is calculated as Monday 00:00 – Sunday 24:00. A driver’s working week may differ from this; however, many Drivers’ Hours rules are calculated using the fixed week.
Q: Can I switch my breaks around?
A: No. Within each set of 4.5 hours spent working, you must set aside at least 45 minutes for a break. A 45-minute break can be split into two; with the first break lasting a minimum of 15 minutes, and the second a minimum of 30 minutes. You cannot take these breaks the other way around.
Q: What qualifies as double-manning?
A: Double-manning occurs when both drivers are present for the entire duty. The first hour can be exempted from this rule if the first driver spends it preparing the vehicle or travelling to collect the second driver. In a double-manning situation, both drivers must take their daily rest at the same time, which means their vehicle must be stationary.
It’s acceptable for one driver to take their break while the other drives, if the idle driver is not involved in any work i.e. navigating.
Q: I drove 48 hours this week, and only 38 hours the week before. How many hours can I drive next week?
A: The simple answer: 42 hours. Your total driving time for a fortnight cannot exceed 90 hours. After completing two weeks of driving, you do not begin a fresh two weeks. A driver must always include the previous week’s driving hours when calculating the fortnightly total. The 38 hours of two weeks ago have no bearing on the new week.
Q: Can I work two weekends in a row?
A: Because working on a weekend means taking a reduced weekly rest, it is generally considered possible only to work one weekend a fortnight while remaining within the law. However, it is possible to work on consecutive weekends if you manage to finish early enough on the Saturday and/or start late enough on the Monday to get the requisite 45 hours rest.
Q: I sometimes spend full days working in the yard. How does this affect my WTD?
A: These hours will be counted as normal toward your WTD. You will be expected to record it in your logbook or time sheet.
Q: Does Driver CPC count towards my WTD?
A: If you attend a training course, such as Driver CPC, during work time (i.e. when your employer pays you to do it) then those hours will count toward your WTD. However, if you attend in your own time, currently it will not count towards WTD.
Q: Can I defer a DVSA roadside check?
A: Despite some confusion among drivers and operators alike, it is possible to defer DVSA roadside inspections. The circumstances in which you can do this are as follows:
- If it is not immediately identifiable that the vehicle is defective;
- If the driver is not known to be in breach of the law;
- If the vehicle is not known to have been involved in an accident.
In any of these cases, the vehicle owner is legally able to select from the next 30 days a 7-day period in which the DVSA may carry out an inspection. The vehicle does not have to be off the road for these 7 days; but the DVSA must carry out their inspection at some point within this 7-day window.
Moreover; the DVSA must give you two days’ notice before they carry out the checks. The checks will be executed at the owner’s premises or at a prearranged roadside location.
Q: Can I claim back the cost of my Driver CPC?
A: There are two instances in which a driver may reasonably try to claim back some or all their CPC expenditure. They are:
- If a driver is self-employed, the cost of the CPC training is recorded as a business expense,
- If a driver is fully employed but is having to pay for the CPC out of their own pocket, they can submit the cost to Inland Revenue. Through this, they may be granted a tax relief on monies paid for CPC.
Q: Am I allowed to ‘moonlight’?
A: Moonlighting in road freight is becoming increasingly common. It is therefore a growing problem. When you drive for another operator on your days off, it means you are not taking advantage of rest days, which puts you in clear breach of the law.
Many operators will mention in their terms and conditions that before a driver can work elsewhere, they must seek permission beforehand. Failure to do so will often result in dismissal. This covers not just driving, but all work performed outside of their regular job.
Want to get your not-so-frequent questions answered, too? Our EU drivers' hours expert, Chris Allen, is hosting a series of 'Lighten the Load' webinars. During each transmission, he will endeavour to answer any road haulage-related question you may have, no matter how complex, controversial or off-the-wall.
Interested? Hit the little blue button and send Chris your question:
