Driving Hours (Hansard, 3 July 1997)

§ Liz Blackman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that United Kingdom drivers are immediately prohibited from driving when they are found to have exceeded permitted driving hours. [6242]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
Where the driver of a UK registered vehicle is found to have exceeded permitted driving hours, or taken inadequate rest, he or she would normally be advised to take the rest or face the prospect that any refusal to do so would be reported to the court in any subsequent prosecution, or cause possible further charges to be brought. Although there is no evidence that this procedure is inadequate, the Government accept that there is a case for a power to prohibit the drivers of UK registered vehicles and will promote amending legislation when a suitable opportunity arises.

§ Liz Blackman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that United Kingdom domestic drivers' hours regulations are as stringent as those obtaining in the European Union. [6251]

§ Ms Jackson
The United Kingdom legislation on drivers' hours pre-dated the European Union rules and now applies only to certain types of vehicle operation which are exempt from European Union rules. We shall be considering the practical and legal implications of bringing some or all of those types of operation within the European Union rules. Such a change would require primary legislation and we would consult operators and their employees before making it.

§ Liz Blackman
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) United Kingdom and (b) EU regulations governing HGV drivers' hours; and if he will make a statement on areas of disparity between (a) and (b). [6249]

§ Ms Jackson
The United Kingdom regulations on drivers hours are contained in part VI of the Transport Act 1968 as amended. The European Union regulations are contained in Council Regulation (EEC) 3820/85. The main differences between the UK and EU rules for goods vehicle drivers are:

UK rules EU rules

Continuous driving (max) No limit 4½ hours (after which a break of 45 minutes must be taken)

Daily driving (max) 10 hours 9 hours (10 hours twice a week)

Fortnightly driving No limit 90 hours

Daily rest (min) None but there is a daily duty limit of 11 11 hours (reducible to 9 hours 3 times a week)

Weekly rest (min) None 45 hours (after 6 days)

	UK rules	EU rules
Continuous driving (max)	No limit	4½ hours (after which a break of 45 minutes must be taken)
Daily driving (max)	10 hours	9 hours (10 hours twice a week)
Fortnightly driving	No limit	90 hours
Daily rest (min)	None but there is a daily duty limit of 11	11 hours (reducible to 9 hours 3 times a week)
Weekly rest (min)	None	45 hours (after 6 days)