Info |
---|
Temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers of vehicles transporting essential goods The UK has notified to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers of vehicles transporting essential goods. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 and the purpose of this document is to notify the Commission accordingly. It will apply to those drivers involved in the delivery of food, non-food (personal care and household paper and cleaning) and over the counter pharmaceuticals when undertaking certain journeys in England, Scotland and Wales. Start date: 18.03.2020 End date: 16.04.2020 Further information: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/temporary-relaxatio... |
Note | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
22.04.2020 In response to unprecedented pressures on local and national supply chains, the Department for Infrastructure has introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules in Northern Ireland. It has also introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of NI drivers’ hours rules in Northern Ireland. This relaxation began on 23 March 2020 and was due to end on 21 April 2020. A specific review of the continuation of the relaxations past 21 April 2020 has been conducted and on the basis of the current evidence, a decision has been made to continue with the relaxations (apart from the relaxation on break requirements) until 23:59 on Sunday 31 May 2020. The Department will keep these temporary arrangements under review and the relaxation may be amended or brought to an end earlier if circumstances change. The Department would like to remind all transport operators and the customers who influence their practices that:
The current situation is being kept under review and the relaxation may be amended or withdrawn earlier than 31 May 2020 if circumstances change. Operators should use this period to increase resilience. If any drivers or operators consider that they are being asked to use the relaxation without correct justification then they can email their concerns to drivershours@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Retrospective checking of the use of these relaxations will take place as necessary, including by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Please note that the previous relaxation of the EU drivers’ hours rules on breaks (i.e. the requirements for daily breaks of 45 minutes after 4.5 hours driving replaced with a break of 45 minutes after 5.5 hours of driving) was applicable from 23 March 2020 until 21 April 2020 only. Those wishing to use this relaxation should read the full notice here and must follow its requirements.
17.04.2020 Following a recent review of the current relaxation of the enforcement of the driver hours’ rules; which is due to end on 21 April, a decision has been made, based on the current evidence, to continue with the relaxations (apart from the relaxation on the EU break requirements) until 23:59 on Sunday 31 May. Detailed information has been provided by UK DFT and is available here. Source: RHA
09.04.2020 In cases of non-resident drivers becoming unwell with the coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms while in the UK, the national authorities recommend the following: 1. If emergency/clinical care is needed, an ambulance should be called; 2. The official guidelines must be followed, ie. immediate self-isolation; it is the responsibility of the freight company to safeguard employee well-being and therefore place them in suitable individual accommodation; 3. Foreign nationals can also approach their embassy for assistance; 4. In exceptional circumstances, depending on capacity, it may be possible to arrange accommodation at the London Isolation Centre. Source: FTA
The Department for Transport (DfT) has introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales. It has also introduced a temporary and limited urgent relaxation of the enforcement of GB drivers’ hours rules in England, Scotland and Wales. This applies to those undertaking carriage of goods by road in all sectors, between 00.01 on Monday 23 March and 23.59 on Tuesday 21 April (continuation of the relaxation past 5 April is subject to review). The EU drivers’ hours rules can be temporarily relaxed as follows: a) Replacement of the EU daily driving limit of 9 hours with one of 11 hours. b) Reduction of the daily rest requirements from 11 to 9 hours. c) Lifting the weekly (56 hours) and fortnightly driving limits (90 hours) to 60 and 96 hours respectively. d) Postponement of the requirement to start a weekly rest period after six-24 hours periods, for after seven 24 hours period; although two regular weekly rest periods or a regular and a reduced weekly rest period will still be required within a fortnight. e) The requirements for daily breaks of 45 minutes after 4.5 hours driving replaced with replaced with a break of 45 minutes after 5.5 hours of driving. Drivers must not use relaxation ‘a’ and ‘d’ at the same time. This is to ensure drivers are able to get adequate rest. DfT guidance can be found here. From Monday 23 March all road user charging schemes in the capital will be temporarily suspended until further notice. This includes the Congestion Charge, the central London ULEZ and the London-wide LEZ. Source: FTA |