20-02-07 Guidance from VOSA on new EU Drivers' Hours Rules
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is providing guidelines to operators and drivers on the latest amendments to the European Union’s Drivers’ Hours Rules and Regulations governing driving and rest periods for drivers of lorries, buses and coaches. The new rules will come into effect on 11 April 2007.
The Regulation (EC 561/2006) is aimed at maintaining road safety, improving working conditions for vehicle crew and ensuring that transport operations are working to the same rules throughout the road transport sector in Europe.
The new Regulation applies to vehicles with a “Maximum Authorised Mass” exceeding 3.5 tonnes or the ability to carry 10 passengers including the driver. All European Union Member States will be applying the Regulation to vehicles travelling either internationally or solely on journeys within their borders.
The new Regulation also aims to clarify and simplify the existing definitions, driving limits and requirements regarding breaks and rest. As an additional feature, the new rules will enable software developers to write tachograph analysis programmes more easily. Coupled with the introduction of digital tachographs, it will enable employers to more readily analyse records of driving and working time.
VOSA is providing the commercial vehicle industry with a summary of the new rules in the February 2007 issue of VOSA’s quarterly newsletter ‘Moving On’ (see a copy of the poster attached below). The publication including the poster will be available next week on.
The complete guide on Drivers’ Hours Rules along with a comparison table is currently available on our website Drivers Hours and Tachograph Rules
Alternatively, VOSA’s Enquiry Unit on 0870 60 60 440 and VOSA experts at the Commercial Vehicle Show (24-26 April 2007, Birmingham NEC) will provide an opportunity to answer customer enquiries.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls
For media inquiries about VOSA, please contact: Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208 / henry.norman@vosa.gov.uk, or Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 / zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk.
Could you please send the published version of any articles about VOSA to press@vosa.gov.uk, VOSA, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 0DA, or fax them to 0117 9543303. Many thanks.
Page last updated: 20/02/2007