HGV drivers' hours: a practical starting point.
The rules depend on the vehicle and operation. DriverWorth gives you the map; GOV.UK and DVSA remain the source to check for the current legal detail.
Professional drivers should be cautious with any website that reduces drivers' hours to one memorable number. The rules that apply can change according to the vehicle, weight, journey and type of operation.
Most heavier goods-vehicle work falls under assimilated rules
Current GOV.UK guidance says assimilated rules generally apply to goods vehicles or combinations over 3.5 tonnes when driving in the UK or to, from or through an EU country. The core limits include 9 hours' daily driving, extendable to 10 hours twice in a week; 56 hours in a week; and 90 hours over two consecutive weeks.
Official source: GOV.UK — assimilated drivers' hours rules.
Breaks and rest are separate from “how long was my shift?”
Under the main assimilated rules, GOV.UK summarises a 45-minute break requirement after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes of driving, alongside daily and weekly rest requirements. A driver's total duty or working time can include activities that are not driving, so “I only drove X hours” is not enough to understand the whole shift.
GB domestic rules cover different operations
Some operations instead fall under GB domestic rules. For goods vehicles covered by those domestic rules, current DVSA guidance includes a 10-hour daily driving limit and, subject to exemptions described in the guidance, an 11-hour daily duty limit.
Official source: DVSA — GB domestic rules for goods vehicles.
Working-time rules sit alongside drivers' hours
Drivers in scope of assimilated/AETR rules may also be covered by the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations. Current DVSA guidance explains the normal 48-hour average working week over the reference period and how breaks and periods of availability are treated.
Official source: DVSA — working-time rules.
Why this matters when comparing jobs
An advert saying “up to 12-hour shifts” does not itself tell you how much driving, other work, break, availability or overtime is involved. Before accepting a job, ask what a typical duty looks like and which rules apply to that operation.