04-04-05 Working Time Directive
Working time directive comes into force 4th April 2005
The working time directive (WTD) rules came into effect today (4th April 2005).
The new rules will apply to mobile workers, which include drivers and crew, night workers and occasional drivers.
The main points of the new rules are:
- The regulations apply to all mobile workers, including drivers and crew of HGVs and public service vehicles
- Working hours are limited to 48 hours a week, with no opt out clause, calculated as an average over a 4 month period
- Breaks and periods of availability known about in advance do not count as working time
- Night workers can only work 10 hours in any 24-hour period
- Self-employed drivers will not be covered by the new directive until 2009, and occasional drivers are covered by the 1998 Working Time Regulations
For further information, please read our leaflet Working Time - The Facts
. The Department for Transport (DfT) website has more detailed information - please click here.
NOTES TO EDITORS
VOSA 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 accident, defects and recalls
Page last updated: 04/04/2006