National Highways

Did you know?

• There are laws limiting the amount of driving a van driver can do each day. These laws also require minimum rest periods.
• Drivers breaking these rules can receive large fines and even custodial sentences.
• There are 2 different sets of rules that can apply. It is important you know which you need to follow.

You’ll probably be driving under GB Domestic Rules but you will need to check. The easiest way to understand which rules apply is to assume the more onerous EU Rules will apply unless there is an exemption; these exemptions are legally defined and can be seen at www.gov.uk/drivers-hours/exemptions-from-eu-law. If these apply, you will need a tacho too. If exempt, then the simpler GB Domestic rules apply. The single biggest exemption to the EU Rules is that the vehicles below 3.5t GVW are not covered. This means most vans are exempt and will need to use the GB Domestic rules unless they are towing. Vans used for towing may still be exempt but for a different reason – you’ll need to check. More Info GB Domestic Drivers’ Hours - Drivers must not drive for more than 10 hours in any 1 day. - Drivers must not be on duty for more than 11 hours in any 1 day. - Drivers must record their hours on a weekly record sheet or on a tachograph. EU Rules - Drivers must not drive more than 9 hours in a day – this can be extended to 10 hours twice a week or, - 56 hours in a week or 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks. - The EU Rules remain valid in the UK despite Brexit. Driving when tired is responsible for 1 in 5 incidents. Under GB Domestic rules, a driver who does not drive for more than 4 hours on each day of the week is exempt from the daily duty limit for the whole week. Drivers who do not use public roads or who are in the armed forces, police, or fire brigade are exempt from GB Domestic rules. EU rules also require: - at least 11 hours rest every day – this can be reduced to 9 hours rest 3 times between any 2 weekly rest periods. - an unbroken rest period of 45 hours every week – this can be reduced to 24 hours every other week. - a break or breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes driving. - weekly rest after 6 consecutive 24-hour periods of working, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period taken.

Did you know?

• Driving without the correct entitlement to drive may result in a driver being issued with 3-6 penalty points and a fine of up to £1,000.
• Penalty points are not displayed on the driving licence photocard.
• Drivers who receive 12 penalty points or more can be disqualified from driving for up to 3 years.
• Drivers can have their licence revoked (withdrawn), if they build up 6 or more penalty points within 2 years of passing their driving test.

Driving licence categories explain what vehicles a driver can drive. Each category of vehicle is represented by a letter or a letter and a number. In total, there are 26...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• An English or Welsh Court has the power to disqualify anyone from driving in GB regardless of where their licence was issued.
• A driver’s ability to drive in GB on a foreign driving licence depends on the length of their stay and the country where their licence was issued.
• Non-GB driving licences can be registered using a D9 form or exchanged using a D1 application form from DVLA.

Drivers with a non-GB provisional licence must apply for a provisional UK licence to drive in the UK. They can then take the test after 6 months. If the licence was not issued in the EU or a designated country, drivers can...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Over 2 million drivers have an out-of-date driving licence
• Driving without a current, valid licence can result in a fine up to £1,000 and 3-6 penalty points
• Failure to produce driving documents to the police is an offence resulting in a fine up to £5,000 and 8 penalty points

Drivers are legally required to ensure they have a correct, current, and valid driving licence before driving any vehicle. Drivers must inform DVLA of changes to their...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Tailgating is one of the causes of road rage and police have powers to issue on the spot fixed penalties for inconsiderate lane use (including hogging the middle lane).
• Penalties range from a fine of £100 and 3 penalty points to a driving ban or prison sentence, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
• A driver should not use their horn in a built-up area between 11:30pm and 07:00am.

Patience is important and drivers should always keep calm. Looking far enough ahead and anticipating traffic manoeuvres provides careful drivers with more time to react accordingly. Eating, drinking and reading maps and guides should be carried out only when... Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.  

Did you know?

• It is an offence to drive having over the specified limits of certain drugs in the blood.
• The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
• Driving while impaired by drugs is thought to be a major contributor to death and injury on the roads.

Drugs that act on the central nervous system can impair many functions associated with individuals’ abilities to drive safely. 43.6% of fatally injured drivers each year test positive for drugs and over 50% of those are positive for two or more drugs. Drug driving puts people at a higher risk for..   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• There are 7 main government bodies responsible for road safety.
• It is an offence not to stop when asked to do so by the Police and drivers face an unlimited fine, community order or up to 6 months’ imprisonment and 3 – 9 penalty points or disqualification from driving.
• DVSA officers wear yellow visibility jackets with either the VOSA or DVSA logo and always carry a DVSA warrant card.

The police and DVSA have the power to carry out spot checks on vehicles and issue prohibitions if necessary. When stopping vehicles, DVSA use marked cars. They can stop any vehicle on the road. Drivers should be wary of bogus DVSA officers trying to...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not inform DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving.
• It is an offence for drivers to refuse to submit to an eyesight test when requested to by the police.
• Drivers may be prosecuted if involved in an accident because of their known medical condition.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 creates the offence of driving with ‘uncorrected defective eyesight’ and drivers could be prosecuted if they drive without meeting the standards of vision for driving. Before driving any vehicle, the driver is legally required to...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• Weight, driving style and maintenance all affect a van’s fuel economy.
• An unnecessary 45kg in the vehicle reduces mpg by 1%.
• Engine idling can have a significant impact on vehicle’s fuel economy.
• Excessive speed is the biggest fuel-guzzling factor.

The heavier a van, the more fuel it requires to move so consider whether everything being carried is essential. Regular maintenance and servicing will improve the efficiency of a vehicle and improve...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• For road traffic collisions, details should be exchanged with all parties involved.
• If details are not exchanged, this should be done as soon as reasonably practicable, within 24 hours or reported to the Police.
• Drivers face a fine up to £5,000 and up to 10 penalty points on their licence, a potential driving ban and a prison sentence of up to 6 months for failing to stop or report an accident or collision.

It is an offence under Section 170 Road Traffic Act 1988 to fail to stop at the scene of an accident. Drivers must report any work-related road collision, incident or near miss in which they are involved, or witness and co-operate with...   Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know? With more than 4 million vans registered in the UK, it is a common misconception that there is no legislation governing van drivers and van operations. Due to their size and weight, vans can be driven and used for anything – right? Wrong, in fact very wrong. With an increase of roadside stops for vans and the average fine per offence in the region of £972, it doesn’t take long for van drivers and owners to figure out that vans which don’t comply with the rules, regulations, standards and procedures can be a costly experience in fines, let alone additional costs for recovery and repair. To help with making our roads safer and more pleasant places to travel on, a series of driver information cards have been produced to assist van drivers and fleet operators in... Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.

Did you know?

• A driver can be fined up to £300 or get a court summons if their van exceeds its maximum permitted axle weight.
• Exceeding the manufacturer’s load limit can put serious strain on the vehicle and may invalidate insurance cover.
• Overloaded vans are a common issue in the UK – 89% of vans stopped by DVSA are overloaded.

It’s easy to overload the front axle of a van by removing load from behind the back axle. Think of it like a seesaw! It is the responsibility of a van driver to stay within the weight limits. When loading a van, it is not the size of the boxes/load or how full the van is that matters – it is the weight of... Learn more and share with your drivers - access all 36 modules of the free Van Driver Toolkit here.