§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Dr. Kim Howells)A consultation document on working time limits for the road transport sector has today been published. The proposals will form the basis for transposing the sector specific road transport directive scheduled for implementation by 23 March 2005, into domestic legislation.
These proposals will provide extra protection for drivers and crew of heavy goods and public service vehicles, who carry out road transport activities covered by the EU drivers hours rules—regulation (EEC) 3820/85. The main provisions of the directive include:
Weekly working time is limited to an average 48 hours.38WSUp to 60 hours work can be performed in a single week, as long as the average 48 hour limit is maintained.Night workers are restricted to 10 hours working time in any 24 hour period.Self-employed drivers will be subject to the RTD from March 2009.The consultation exercise seeks views on how the Government should implement the RTD. The document provides a summary of the contents of the directive and sets out the Government's preliminary views on how it should be transposed. Specific issues include the definition of night time for the purpose of the night working limit and the intention to use the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency to enforce the directive. The consultation document also seeks views on whether we should implement the derogations available under the RTD.
An assessment of the costs and benefits of these proposals is being published alongside the consultation document. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Library and will also be available on the DfT Website.