DfT updates temporary relaxation rules for retained EU drivers’ hours

Article summary

The Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have updated the guidance on the temporary relaxation of enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules for all road haulage sectors in England, Wales and Scotland. The temporary relaxation follows the pressure on local and national supply chains due to a shortage of heavy goods vehicles (HGV). The DfT states anyone driving in Great Britain can use this temporary relaxation, only where necessary, with no limits on journeys or specific sectors and stresses that driver safety must not be compromised. The DfT will keep the situation under review and reserves the right to withdraw or extend the relaxation if circumstances change. The temporary relaxation takes effect from 12.01am on 12 July 2021 until 11.59pm on 8 August 2021.