HGV daily rest rules explained.

What is a regular daily rest?

A regular daily rest is at least 11 uninterrupted hours during which the driver may freely dispose of their time. It must be completed within the relevant 24-hour period that begins when the previous daily or weekly rest ends.

The 24-hour period is not automatically midnight to midnight. If the previous qualifying rest finishes at 05:00, the next qualifying daily rest must be completed by 05:00 the following day.

What is a reduced daily rest?

A reduced daily rest is at least 9 continuous hours but less than 11 hours. It may be used no more than three times between any two weekly rest periods. The reduction does not have to be compensated later.

In this simple example, the driver could complete a reduced daily rest by the end of the 24-hour window. It would count as one of the three permitted reductions between weekly rest periods.

How does split daily rest work?

A regular daily rest may be split into two qualifying periods:

• the first period must be at least 3 uninterrupted hours; and
• the second period must be at least 9 uninterrupted hours.

The order matters: it is 3 hours followed by 9 hours. The total is therefore at least 12 hours. A short break or POA is not automatically the first part of a split rest; the period must meet the definition of rest.

Is the gap between two shifts always daily rest?

No. Count from the end of all duty to the beginning of the next duty and check whether the driver was genuinely free to dispose of the time. Other employment, obligatory work, required training and certain travel to take charge of a vehicle can prevent the period from counting as rest.

A shift-to-shift gap can look long enough in a diary but still fail the rule if other work occurred inside it. That is why a personal diary should be checked against the tachograph and complete duty records.

How does weekly rest affect the count?

A weekly rest must begin no later than the end of six consecutive 24-hour periods from the end of the previous weekly rest. A regular weekly rest is at least 45 continuous hours. A reduced weekly rest is at least 24 but less than 45 continuous hours and, where it is the qualifying reduced weekly rest, the reduction must be compensated in one block within the required deadline.

The allowance of three reduced daily rests runs between weekly rest periods. Starting a qualifying weekly rest begins a new stretch for counting later reduced daily rests.

Can daily rest be taken in the cab?

DVSA guidance says daily rest may be taken in a stationary vehicle when suitable sleeping facilities are available for each driver. A driver cannot freely dispose of their time while resting in a moving vehicle. Regular weekly rest has separate restrictions and must not be taken in the vehicle.

Common mistakes

• Counting 9 hours as regular daily rest—it is reduced rest unless another rule changes the position.
• Using more than three reduced daily rests between weekly rest periods.
• Counting backwards from the next shift instead of checking the 24-hour window from the end of the previous rest.
• Treating a split as any two breaks rather than at least 3 hours followed by at least 9 hours.
• Ignoring other work or required activity during an apparent rest period.
• Assuming daily rest compliance means all driving, break, weekly-rest and working-time rules are also satisfied.

Common questions