Driving breaks during first hour

ASK THE EXPERTS SAFETY, LAW AND WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE FORUM (INTE
1

I often get a pick up just 30 minutes from base that involves hanging around for 20-30 minutes. I have always switched my tacho to break for 15 minutes and so, I thought, taken my first break of the day.

In conversation with my fellow drivers today, it was suggested that any breaks taken before 1 hours driving has been completed are not valid.

I’ve never heard this before. Anyone know if this is correct?

Thanks

2

The reason why you have never heard of it before is that it’s rubbish and just another of the many tacho “Urban Myths” usually spouted by drivers who have never read the tacho rules and operate on another set of rules known as the MMTM Rules (My Mate Told Me)

There is no minimum period specified in the regulations before you can take a break, or for a break to count. You can take a break after just one minute of work and it counts, as long as it is more than 15 minutes of course.

3

Thanks.

Thats what I thought, but when all your work mates tell you are wrong you begin to wonder!!!

4

:smiley: Im going to start quoting Neils posts as gospel.

I had a couple of occasions to mention the great mans name last week :stuck_out_tongue:

Curries of Dumfries, You cannot do a 16 hour spread, and if you work after midnight you can only drive for 8 hours :exclamation:

ERF, (RIBY) if you have a split break on a ferry you cannot move for 13 hours :open_mouth:

MMTM rules apply :wink:

5

isnt that one hour rule something that applies to taking a split daily rest??
I may well be wrong because i cant remember where i got that idea from and please dont quote me on it im just curious (unless of course its confirmed by our legal beagle sir coffee of the holic :laughing: :stuck_out_tongue: :wink: )

6

Wheel Nut:
:smiley: Im going to start quoting Neils posts as gospel.

Unless you’re trying to take off from a conveyor belt of course :wink: :laughing: :laughing:

Salut, David.

7

Reef:
isnt that one hour rule something that applies to taking a split daily rest??

Correct, That is one time in the regulations where a minimum period of one hour is specified, it isn’t the only one though. :wink: :smiley: For the purpose of a split rest the rest can be taken in two or three segments. The final period must be at least eight hours and the other one or two must be at least one hour.

8

Spardo:

Wheel Nut:
:smiley: Im going to start quoting Neils posts as gospel.

Unless you’re trying to take off from a conveyor belt of course :wink: :laughing: :laughing:

Salut, David.

David, you can take that one to the bank. :wink: :smiley: :smiley: