DVSA Clarifies Cab Rest Fines

The DVSA has been forced to clarify its position on fines for working drivers who take their full weekly rest periods in their cabs. The original announcement that fines would be introduced has caused concern among the haulage industry, with many drivers questioning how these fines would work. But now the DVSA has provided some more detail to the Road Haulage Association, explaining that drivers are still able to take their 45-hour weekly break in their cab as long as it’s in a location such as a truck stop which has suitable facilities such as toilets, showers and food facilities.

However, when it comes to laybys, roadsides or other public highway spaces, drivers can only take overnight or short breaks in their cabs rather than their 45-hour weekly breaks. The bans will apply for 45-hour rest breaks which are taken anywhere outside official rest areas – whether the break is taken in whole or in part inside the cab.  In their recent announcement, the DVSA have said that the bans will apply from 1 November. The penalties will include fixed penalty notices of £300, driver prohibitions, and reporting operators to licensing authorities.

The ban will be implemented by keeping track of drivers in areas where the problem are most often reported, and officials will check sources such as tachograph records to make sure the rules are being followed.  It’s hoped that the new measures will stop the problem of drivers spending long hours outside official rest stops, which can impact on their health both mental and physical, as well as the appearance and safety of public roads.

This is not the only shake-up to the industry in recent months. In London, HGVs will be subject to new vision ratings which could see many models banned from the capital altogether in the future.  And among the smaller measures taken to keep roads clean are new window-level bins that have been installed at service stations, with HGV drivers specifically in mind.