On 21 April 2025, new DVSA HGV drivers hours rules changes will come into effect, bringing important updates for operators involved in international road transport.
While domestic journeys remain unaffected, those operating across borders must now comply with the AETR rules, extended tachograph record-keeping, and upcoming equipment upgrade deadlines.
So, what exactly must UK hauliers do to stay compliant and avoid penalties?
This article breaks down the key changes and outlines what every operator needs to know ahead of the enforcement date.
What Are the DVSA HGV Drivers Hours Rules Changes Introduced in 2025?
From Monday, 21 April 2025, the UK’s road transport industry faces critical updates to drivers’ hours regulations as new DVSA HGV drivers hours rules changes come into force.
These changes, driven by the need to harmonise with international legal frameworks post-Brexit, are designed to improve road safety and standardise monitoring across borders.
Although domestic HGV operators will see no immediate impact, those engaged in international transport must ensure full compliance with the revised rules.
The most notable shift involves the transition to AETR regulations (European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport), replacing retained EU drivers’ hours legislation for international trips.
This update not only affects British operators but also applies to vehicles registered outside both the UK and the EU.
To avoid regulatory breaches, it is essential that logistics firms, fleet operators, and self-employed HGV drivers are fully aware of their responsibilities under the new framework.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has stated:
“These regulatory updates are crucial for maintaining compliance during international operations. Operators should review their current practices and ensure that all necessary adjustments are made ahead of the 21 April 2025 implementation date.”
What Are the Current Driving Limits and Rest Periods for HGV Drivers?
The structure of driving limits, rest periods, and break requirements plays a central role in ensuring both road safety and driver welfare.
While the rules for HGVs operating exclusively within the UK remain consistent, international drivers must now navigate a more complex set of obligations under AETR.
The domestic UK rules, which remain unchanged, require drivers to:
- Drive a maximum of 9 hours per day, with a possible extension to 10 hours twice per week
- Limit weekly driving to 56 hours and no more than 90 hours over any two consecutive weeks
- Take a minimum rest of 11 hours daily, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rest periods
- Observe a 45-minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of continuous driving
- Take a weekly rest of at least 45 hours, which may be reduced to 24 hours once every other week
These rules form the backbone of both UK and EU standards, but the AETR framework now applicable to international journeys differs in important ways.
How Do the Working Time Directive and Tachograph Rules Apply to HGV Drivers?
A critical element of the DVSA changes in 2025 is the enhanced focus on tachograph compliance and the recording of drivers’ working hours.
From April, international HGV journeys will fall under the AETR regulations, meaning not only a new set of legal expectations, but also stricter data recording practices.
Under the changes, HGV drivers engaged in international trips must:
- Follow AETR rules, which closely resemble EU law but do not include certain allowances such as:
- The ability to return to base or a driver’s country of residence as a rest exemption
- Interrupting a weekly rest period due to unforeseen circumstances
- Taking reduced weekly rest inside the UK or the country of residence for international journeys
- Specific requirements around accommodation standards during rest periods
- Maintain 56 days of driving records, doubling the previous requirement of 28 days. These must include:
- Digital tachograph files
- Analogue tachograph charts
- Any manual records or entries
This change applies to all HGVs and Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) registered outside the UK and EU, regardless of their base of operation, provided they are engaged in journeys involving the UK.
The DVSA also emphasised that smart tachograph compliance is a cornerstone of this regulatory shift. Vehicles must be fitted with a Smart Tachograph 2 as follows:
- By 18 August 2025 if currently fitted with Smart Tachograph 1
- By 1 July 2026 for vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight undertaking international travel
How Do the 2025 DVSA Rule Changes Affect UK Haulage Operations?
The effects of the DVSA’s new rules will be felt most significantly by operators with international logistics operations. These changes demand administrative and operational overhauls, particularly around route planning, driver scheduling, training, and data retention systems.
Operators will need to:
- Provide additional training for drivers to familiarise them with AETR rules, which though similar to EU law, contain several deviations
- Review and potentially upgrade tachograph equipment to meet new requirements, particularly for mixed-fleet operations
- Adjust shift and rest schedules to reflect stricter retention and rest period rules
- Prepare internal systems to manage twice the amount of tachograph data, ensuring full accessibility during roadside inspections or audits
For operators within the UK only, current rules and enforcement mechanisms remain in place, with no immediate change to working hours, rest periods, or tachograph data management.
How Can HGV Operators Stay Compliant and Avoid Penalties?
Staying compliant under the updated framework will require both technological upgrades and process overhauls. Failure to do so can result in fines, legal consequences, or suspension of operating licences.
Among the most common compliance failures are:
- Inadequate tachograph data storage
- Failure to produce records on demand
- Drivers exceeding permitted hours
- Incorrect or missing manual entries
Operators can avoid such pitfalls by:
- Regularly auditing driver logs and tachograph data
- Keeping up-to-date with DVSA bulletins and industry news
- Enrolling drivers in compliance training focused on AETR and UK/EU differences
- Consulting with legal and compliance experts to clarify obligations for mixed-nationality journeys
Furthermore, DVSA has indicated that specific guidance for Northern Ireland-based operators will be updated in line with these changes to reflect region-specific considerations under the Northern Ireland Protocol and UK internal market rules.
What Are the Best Practices for Managing the New HGV Drivers Hours Rules?
Navigating the updated regulations successfully will depend on how well businesses prepare in advance. Compliance is no longer just about checking boxes it’s about creating a resilient, flexible framework that accounts for variation across jurisdictions.
Some practical best practices include:
- Integrating route planning software with tachograph data systems to automatically alert when drivers approach their legal limits
- Maintaining a compliance calendar with tachograph deadlines, training refreshers, and audit schedules
- Encouraging a culture of proactive reporting and feedback among drivers to identify compliance gaps early
- Ensuring vehicles are fitted with the correct tachograph versions well ahead of the legal deadlines
By embedding these practices into daily operations, operators not only ensure compliance but also improve efficiency and driver satisfaction.
How Do the 2025 DVSA HGV Hours Rules Compare to the Previous Regulations?
| Regulation Aspect | Prior to April 2025 | From 21 April 2025 (International Only) |
| Daily Driving Limit | 9 hrs (10 hrs twice a week) | No change |
| Weekly Driving Limit | 56 hrs | Reduced to 45 hrs for AETR journeys |
| Fortnightly Driving Limit | 90 hrs | No change |
| Daily Rest Requirement | 11 hrs minimum | No change |
| Weekly Rest | 45 hrs (reducible with conditions) | EU reductions not applicable under AETR |
| Tachograph Data Retention | 28 days | 56 days (international only) |
| Smart Tachograph Requirement | Optional upgrade for older fleets | Smart Tachograph 2 mandatory |
| AETR Applicability | Not previously enforced | Fully applies to international operators |
| UK Domestic-Only Operations | Governed by UK rules | No changes |
Conclusion
The DVSA HGV drivers hours rules changes are more than a technical update they represent a realignment of the UK’s international transport policies in a post-Brexit era.
The integration of AETR regulations and the reinforcement of smart tachograph requirements indicate a long-term move toward digital enforcement and borderless data exchange between transport regulators.
In summary, key points include:
- AETR rules now apply to international journeys involving the UK
- Domestic-only operations remain governed by current UK rules
- Drivers must carry 56 days of tachograph data for international trips
- Vehicles must be upgraded to Smart Tachograph 2 by statutory deadlines
- Several EU exemptions no longer apply under AETR
- Updated definitions and guidance will reflect terminology changes, replacing references to “EU law” with “assimilated drivers’ hours rules”
Hauliers and fleet managers are advised to treat the 21 April 2025 deadline as a strategic compliance checkpoint. The changes not only affect how business is done today, but how it must be structured for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main changes in DVSA HGV drivers hours rules in 2025?
The changes include adopting AETR rules for international journeys, doubling tachograph data retention from 28 to 56 days, and mandating smart tachograph upgrades.
How many hours can an HGV driver work under the new rules?
The maximum remains 9 hours per day (extendable to 10 hours twice weekly) and 45 hours per week for international operations under AETR, with unchanged fortnightly limits.
Are the EU and UK HGV driving rules the same?
They are similar, but under AETR, some EU allowances like emergency rest period adjustments no longer apply. Operators must familiarise themselves with these differences.
What is the penalty for breaching HGV hours in the UK?
Penalties can include on-the-spot fines up to £300, vehicle immobilisation, or even the suspension of an operator’s licence for repeated violations.
Do the new rules apply to all HGV classes?
Yes, they apply to all HGVs and PSVs involved in international journeys, regardless of registration country, including those registered outside the UK and EU.
How do I stay updated on DVSA compliance changes?
Regularly check the DVSA website, subscribe to industry newsletters, and consult regulatory advisors or trade bodies like the RHA and Logistics UK.
What support is available for UK hauliers adapting to new regulations?
Support includes official DVSA guidance, online training modules, compliance checklists, and advisory services offered by haulage associations.
