Driverhours

Driverhours refers to the period during which a professional driver operates a vehicle and performs related duties within a defined time frame. It includes driving time, on-duty time (which covers loading, unloading, waiting, and other work-related tasks), and off-duty or rest time. Managing driverhours is a key element of fatigue management and regulatory compliance in commercial transport.

Key concepts include driving time (the actual operation of the vehicle), on-duty time (any work-related activity while the driver is on the job), and rest or off-duty time (periods when the driver is not performing job tasks). Regulations typically set limits on daily and weekly driving, minimum rest requirements, and mandated breaks or sleeper-berth rules. Records of hours worked are kept to demonstrate compliance and are subject to inspection.

In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates Hours of Service (HOS) for most commercial drivers. The rules govern limits on daily and multi-day driving, and require breaks after periods of driving. Records are maintained using electronic logging devices (ELDs) or traditional paper logs and are subject to enforcement by authorities. There are exemptions for certain types of operations and conditions.

In the European Union, driverhours regulations require adherence to daily and weekly driving limits, mandatory breaks and rest periods, and the use of tachographs to record activity. The rules apply to most road transport operators and are enforced by national authorities, with penalties for non-compliance. The United Kingdom follows similar provisions administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) post-Brexit.

Overall, driverhours are tracked to enhance road safety, support efficient scheduling, and ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, with increasing use of digital tools for accuracy and auditability.