Drivers' hours and rest periods: bus & PCV theory test questions

Daily and weekly driving limits, breaks, daily and weekly rest, and the GB domestic rules for lorries and buses. Practise 16 free drivers' hours and rest periods questions with instant answers and explanations – no sign-up.

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Drivers' hours and rest periods: revision notes

Most lorry and coach work comes under the assimilated rules (previously called EU rules). Local bus routes of 50 km or less, and many smaller operations, use the GB domestic rules instead.

  • Driving: 9 hours a day, extendable to 10 hours twice a week; 56 hours a week; 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks.
  • Breaks: 45 minutes after no more than 4.5 hours of driving, or 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes.
  • Daily rest: 11 hours, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests, or split as 3 hours then 9 hours.
  • Weekly rest: 45 hours regular, or 24 hours reduced (to be made up later). Start it no later than six 24-hour periods after the last one.

GB domestic rules: lorries 10 hours' driving and 11 hours' duty a day; buses and coaches 10 hours' driving, a 30-minute break after 5.5 hours' driving and 10 hours' daily rest.

All drivers' hours and rest periods questions and answers

Revise every question in this topic. Tap a question to see the correct answer and why.

1Under the assimilated (formerly EU) rules, what is the normal maximum daily driving time?
  1. 8 hours
  2. 9 hours ✓
  3. 10 hours
  4. 11 hours

Answer: 9 hours. The daily driving limit is 9 hours. It can be extended to 10 hours, but only twice in a fixed week.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

2How many times in a fixed week can you extend your daily driving time to 10 hours?
  1. Once
  2. Three times
  3. Every day
  4. Twice ✓

Answer: Twice. You may drive up to 10 hours on no more than two days in a fixed week. On the other days the limit is 9 hours.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

3What is the maximum you may drive in a fixed week under the assimilated rules?
  1. 45 hours
  2. 48 hours
  3. 56 hours ✓
  4. 60 hours

Answer: 56 hours. You must not drive more than 56 hours in a fixed week. The 90-hour fortnightly limit also applies, so you can't drive 56 hours every week.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

4What is the maximum driving time in any two consecutive fixed weeks?
  1. 80 hours
  2. 90 hours ✓
  3. 100 hours
  4. 112 hours

Answer: 90 hours. Your total driving in any two consecutive weeks must not go over 90 hours. That's why a 56-hour week must be followed by a much shorter one.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

5You've driven for 4 hours 30 minutes without a break. What must you do?
  1. Take a break of at least 45 minutes ✓
  2. Take a break of at least 15 minutes
  3. Take a break of at least 30 minutes
  4. Carry on until you've driven 6 hours

Answer: Take a break of at least 45 minutes. After no more than 4.5 hours of driving you must take a break of at least 45 minutes, unless you start a rest period. Breaks help you stay alert.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

6You want to split your 45-minute break. Which pattern is allowed?
  1. 30 minutes first, then 15 minutes
  2. Three breaks of 15 minutes
  3. 10 minutes first, then 35 minutes
  4. 15 minutes first, then 30 minutes ✓

Answer: 15 minutes first, then 30 minutes. A 45-minute break can be split into a break of at least 15 minutes followed by one of at least 30 minutes. The order matters: the longer break must come second.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – goods vehicles

7What is the minimum regular daily rest period?
  1. 9 hours
  2. 10 hours
  3. 11 hours ✓
  4. 12 hours

Answer: 11 hours. A regular daily rest is at least 11 continuous hours. It can be reduced to 9 hours a limited number of times.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

8How many times between two weekly rest periods can you reduce your daily rest to 9 hours?
  1. Once
  2. Twice
  3. 3 times ✓
  4. As often as you like

Answer: 3 times. You can take a reduced daily rest of at least 9 hours up to three times between any two weekly rest periods. No compensation is needed for these reductions.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

9You decide to split your regular daily rest into two periods. What is the correct pattern?
  1. At least 3 hours, then at least 9 hours ✓
  2. At least 9 hours, then at least 3 hours
  3. Two periods of 5 hours 30 minutes
  4. At least 2 hours, then at least 8 hours

Answer: At least 3 hours, then at least 9 hours. A split daily rest must be at least 3 hours followed by at least 9 hours, giving 12 hours in total. The 9-hour part must come last.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – goods vehicles

10Which TWO statements about weekly rest are correct? Mark two answers.
  1. A regular weekly rest is at least 45 consecutive hours ✓
  2. A weekly rest can be split into three parts
  3. A reduced weekly rest is at least 24 consecutive hours ✓
  4. A reduced weekly rest never needs to be made up

Answer: A regular weekly rest is at least 45 consecutive hours; A reduced weekly rest is at least 24 consecutive hours. A regular weekly rest is at least 45 hours, and a reduced weekly rest is at least 24 hours. Any reduction must be made up in one block within a set time.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours – assimilated rules

11When does a 'fixed week' start for drivers' hours purposes?
  1. 00:00 on Sunday
  2. When you start your first shift of the week
  3. 06:00 on Monday
  4. 00:00 on Monday ✓

Answer: 00:00 on Monday. A fixed week runs from 00:00 on Monday to 24:00 on the following Sunday. Weekly driving limits are measured against it.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – goods vehicles

12What must you NOT do during a break from driving?
  1. Eat or drink
  2. Sit in the vehicle
  3. Any driving or other work ✓
  4. Make a personal phone call

Answer: Any driving or other work. A break must be used only for rest, so you can't drive or do any other work, such as loading or cleaning. Otherwise it doesn't count as a break.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – goods vehicles

13Under the GB domestic rules for buses and coaches, how long must a break be?
  1. At least 30 minutes in one go ✓
  2. At least 15 minutes, which can be split
  3. At least 45 minutes in two parts
  4. At least 10 minutes every hour

Answer: At least 30 minutes in one go. A break under the GB domestic passenger rules must be at least 30 continuous minutes and can't be split. No work can be done during it.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – buses and coaches

14Under the GB domestic rules for buses and coaches, after how much driving must you normally take a break?
  1. 4 hours 30 minutes
  2. 5 hours 30 minutes ✓
  3. 6 hours
  4. 7 hours 45 minutes

Answer: 5 hours 30 minutes. In a working day, a break must be taken at the end of 5 hours 30 minutes of driving if one hasn't already been taken. There are alternative patterns for longer days.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – buses and coaches

15Under the GB domestic rules for buses and coaches, what is the normal daily rest between two working days?
  1. 8 hours
  2. 9 hours
  3. 10 hours ✓
  4. 11 hours

Answer: 10 hours. A continuous rest of 10 hours must be taken between working days. It can be reduced to 8.5 hours up to three times a week.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – buses and coaches

16You drive a regular bus service on a route of less than 50 km. Which drivers' hours rules normally apply?
  1. The assimilated rules
  2. The AETR rules
  3. No rules apply to local buses
  4. The GB domestic rules ✓

Answer: The GB domestic rules. Regular passenger services on routes of no more than 50 km are normally covered by the GB domestic rules. Longer routes and most coach tours come under the assimilated rules.

GOV.UK: Drivers' hours and tachographs – buses and coaches

Frequently asked questions

Can I split my 45-minute break?

Yes, under the assimilated rules you can take at least 15 minutes followed by at least 30 minutes. The longer part must come second.

When does the driving week start?

A fixed week runs from 00:00 on Monday to 24:00 the following Sunday.

Can I take my weekly rest in the cab?

You can take a reduced weekly rest in a suitable vehicle, but a regular weekly rest (45 hours or more) must not be taken in the vehicle.

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Original practice questions based on The Highway Code (Open Government Licence v3.0). Not the real test questions. MockTheory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.

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