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CabLog / Driver Guides / six-hour rule

Working-time breaks

The HGV six-hour rule explained.

A plain-English guide to working-time breaks for mobile workers.

Published and reviewed 22 July 2026Checked against official guidance6-minute read
The short answerA mobile worker should not work for more than six consecutive hours without a break. Total daily working time of six to nine hours requires at least 30 minutes of breaks; more than nine hours requires at least 45 minutes.

What does the six-hour rule mean?

The rule concerns working time, not just driving. A qualifying break must interrupt working time before more than six consecutive hours are accumulated.

How long must WTD breaks be?

At least 30 minutes is required when daily working time totals six to nine hours. At least 45 minutes is required when it exceeds nine hours. Breaks can be divided into periods of at least 15 minutes.

How does it interact with driving breaks?

The 45-minute break required after no more than 4.5 hours of driving can also satisfy working-time break requirements when it qualifies as a break. The stricter requirement at the relevant point governs what the driver must do.

Common questions

Does POA reset the six-hour working-time clock?

POA is not working time, but it is not automatically a qualifying break. Records must accurately reflect the activity.

Can the 30-minute break be split?

Working-time breaks may be split into periods of at least 15 minutes.

Official source

Checked against the DVSA’s Drivers’ hours and tachographs: goods vehicles. Rules, agreements, exemptions and individual circumstances can change which requirements apply.

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