Driving is a work task carried out by many workers. Vehicles can be used on work sites and on public roads for work. As so many of us drive in our home and leisure time, we tend not to consider the risks in a work context.
In many workplaces, driving is considered a secondary activity. However, if your staff use vehicles to drive to a place where they will carry out their job, then the driving task is a work activity using work equipment. For many, driving is the most dangerous element of their working day.
As an employer it is important that you understand your responsibilities and take steps to keep your workers and members of the public safe.
To help your workers understand the risks and their responsibilities, it is useful to develop a driving for work policy covering the types of vehicles and driving activities carried out in your organisation. Once you are clear on these activities, using the risk assessment process will help you manage these risks.
Use the links below to find information on creating a vehicle and driver policy, completing a risk assessment and driver hours.
- Vehicle and driver policy
- Risk assessment for driving
- Driver hours
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3. Driver hours
Driving hours of goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and some passenger vehicles are regulated by European Community rules. These set limits on driver's hours
- daily driving limit: 9 hours*
- maximum driving limit: 4 ½ hours
- daily rest period: 11 hours
- weekly driving limit: 56 hours
- fortnightly driving limit: 90 hours
- weekly rest period: 45 consecutive hours.*
*The rules on drivers' hours and tachographs for passenger carrying vehicles and goods vehicles differ. The Department for Transport provides advice for drivers and operators of passenger vehicles on all aspects of drivers' hours rules in the UK and Europe, for more details you can read more about the them on the
gov.uk website (external site).