subject: Time Machines: Minibus Driver Hours And Limits In The Uk [print this page] Some say it's a man thing but it could also be a woman thing for all we know. The point is that some drivers, of minibuses or otherwise, feel that they can drive for intergalactic distances without turning a hair. Particularly when it comes to driving a minibus, you're in charge of not only a large lump of moving metal, glass and plastic, you're in charge of others' lives. This is why minibus driving regulations exist and here, we'll look at them as they apply in the UK. The regulations are a form of minibus insurance in their own right, and they are sensible enough.
When driving in the UK, minibus drivers are subject to UK Domestic Drivers' Hours Rules. What's more, you're also subject to the Working Time Regulations 1998, S.I. 1833. Yes, this means very little to everyone else too, so an explanation of the definitions and limits that apply follows.
We can begin with what is considered a rest break. This is defined as, 'Any period that a driver is freely able to dispose of his time, when not working during employment or carrying out other work, for a period of at least 1 hour.'. More simply, it's an hour off duty; it's insurance against nodding off at the wheel, or making a silly, possibly fatal, mistake.
So, for how long can you drive in a day? Domestic driver's limits say you can drive for up to 10 hours at the wheel, actually driving. Add the required rest breaks and you can spend a total of 16 hours on duty in any one day. 'Simples', as the meerkat in the ads says. However, there is more, as follows.
* You may drive for a maximum of 5.5 hours followed by a rest break 30 minutes long.
* Alternatively, you may drive for 8.5 hours, including a 45-minute break, provided a further, 30-minute break follows.
* You must rest for a minimum of 10 hours between working days. This can be reduced to a rest period of 8.5 hours on up to three days in any one week.
* Between any two consecutive weeks, a minimum rest period of 24 hours must be taken.
The above is in fact perfectly simple, and all you need to know about now are the exceptions to the rules. These comprise the following.
* Armed forces drivers, and the drivers of police and fire brigade vehicles are exempted from the limits.
* Those not driving on public roads are exempted.
* Private drivers, not receiving any payment for hire or reward and not driving in connection with employment are exempt.
These vehicles are also exempt from the 16 hours per day duty limit but not from the driving limits above.
* Breakdown service vehicles (e.g. AA, RAC)
* Vehicles used for inspection, maintenance, repair, installation, fitting or cleaning.
* Vehicles used for commercial purposes, and goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
* Vehicles used by health authority staff: doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, and vets.
* Vehicles used for film work, or radio and TV broadcasting.
Given that the above recommendations are to stop an outcome involving travelling along a roadside crash barrier like some sort of bizarre monorail car, they're hardly Draconian. Nevertheless there is a final proviso that is equally sensible. Should an event occur that demands immediate action to preserve life or health, or to give immediate access to telecommunication or postal services, the UK Domestic Rules are relaxed.
