Guidance

Emergency exemption and temporary relaxation of drivers' hours and working time rules

How and when to request a temporary relaxation of the drivers’ hours and working time rules for commercial operators.

Documents

Statement of case template

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

EU drivers’ hours and tachograph rules still apply to journeys between the EU and UK, or wholly within the EU or UK.

AETR rules apply to journeys outside of the EU, including journeys involving Norway and Switzerland.

These documents include:

  • an explanation of drivers’ hours and working time rules
  • guidance on dealing with emergency and urgent situations
  • information on how to request a temporary relaxation of the rules
  • a form for requesting a relaxation

Drivers’ hours and working time rules are in place to protect drivers and reduce the risk of them being involved in accidents due to tiredness.

Published 8 December 2011
Last updated 28 October 2020 + show all updates
  1. Updated to give further guidance on possible relaxations of the working time rules and exemptions for vehicles used on a 'craft basis'.

  2. Guidance updated to give further guidance on the use of the emergency exemption in EU drivers’ hours rules to deal with weather related events.

  3. Guidance revised to take into account revisions to the exemptions and national derogations to the EU drivers’ hours rules.

  4. First published.