Hours Rules Have Changed: What Every UK Haulier Must Know Now

If you've been keeping an eye on the DVSA's activity lately, you'll know things have been moving quickly. Between new tachograph deadlines, expanded record-keeping requirements, and a shift in how international rules are framed post-Brexit, there's a lot for UK hauliers to get to grips with in 2025. Whether you're a transport manager trying to stay on top of compliance, a driver heading across borders, or an owner-operator running a small fleet, this post breaks down exactly what's changed, what's coming, and what you need to do about it.

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The Biggest Change: The 56-Day Record Rule

The most significant update landed on 21 April 2025, when the Drivers' Hours and Tachographs (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2025 came into force. The headline change? The amount of records a driver must be able to produce during a roadside inspection has doubled.

Previously, drivers needed to carry 28 days' worth of records. That's now been extended to 56 days — the current day plus the previous 55 calendar days. This applies to digital tachograph data, analogue charts, and manual entries alike.

For transport managers, this isn't just a driver responsibility. You need to make sure your record storage and retrieval systems are up to scratch. If a DVSA officer stops one of your vehicles and the driver can't produce the full 56 days, that's an infringement — and potentially a £300 fine per offence, vehicle immobilisation, or worse, a referral to the Traffic Commissioner.

The practical takeaway: review your data download schedules now. If you're downloading tachograph data every 28 days, that's no longer frequent enough to guarantee full coverage at the roadside. Move to more regular downloads and make sure records are accessible quickly.

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International Routes: AETR Rules Now Apply

If your drivers cross into non-EU countries — think Turkey, Norway, or anywhere else covered by the AETR agreement — the rules have changed in a meaningful way.

The UK has officially transitioned to AETR (European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport) for all international journeys beyond the EU. Previously, some "return-to-base" flexibilities applied. Those are now gone. Rest requirements are standardised across a much wider range of international routes, which means less room for interpretation and more consistency — but also less flexibility.

It's also worth knowing that the DVSA has updated all official guidance to replace references to "EU law" with "assimilated drivers' hours rules". This is post-Brexit legal housekeeping rather than a practical change, but if you're referencing old paperwork or training materials, it's worth updating your language to match. Auditors and enforcement officers will be using the new terminology.

For operators enrolled in — or working towards — DVSA Earned Recognition, these record-keeping and compliance standards are directly tied to the HGV Operator Audit Standards. Keeping clean, auditable records that meet the 56-day requirement will serve you well there too.

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Smart Tachograph Version 2: Don't Miss the Deadlines

Alongside the rules changes, there are hard deadlines approaching for tachograph hardware upgrades.

August 18, 2025 — International Vehicles Over 3.5 Tonnes

Any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes that operates internationally and is currently fitted with a Smart Tachograph Version 1 must be retrofitted with Smart Tachograph Version 2 (SMT2) by this date. SMT2 units include enhanced GPS functionality that automatically records border crossings and loading or unloading locations — making enforcement easier for authorities and record-keeping more precise for operators.

If you're running international routes and haven't already booked your vehicle in for retrofitting, do it now. Approved tachograph centres are already getting busy, and missing this deadline could mean your vehicle is non-compliant for international work.

July 1, 2026 — Light Commercial Vehicles (2.5–3.5 Tonnes GVW)

Lighter vehicles used on international routes have a slightly longer window, but the same requirement applies. If you're running 2.5 to 3.5-tonne vehicles across borders, plan your SMT2 upgrades well in advance of this deadline.

Tools like TruckCheck can help you track vehicle compliance status and flag upcoming deadlines across your fleet, so nothing slips through the cracks during busy periods.

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Domestic Rules, London, and Scotland: What Else to Know

Domestic Driving Limits — No Change

For journeys entirely within the UK, the core limits remain the same: 9 hours daily driving (extendable to 10 hours twice a week), a 56-hour weekly maximum, and a mandatory 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving. These haven't changed, but with increased remote tachograph monitoring by the DVSA, the tolerance for infringements — even minor ones — is lower than it used to be.

London DVS: Three-Star Rating Now Required

Since October 2024, any HGV over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London must either hold a three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating or have a compliant "Progressive Safe System" installed. If you have vehicles running into London, make sure they're registered and rated on the DVS portal. Being stopped without the right rating can mean prohibition notices and significant disruption.

Scotland Speed Limit Changes Coming

Plans are advancing to align HGV speed limits on Scottish single carriageways with the rest of Great Britain. Currently set at 40mph in Scotland, the proposed increase to 50mph (matching England and Wales) is expected to move forward in 2025. It's not law yet, but it's worth keeping an eye on if you run Scottish routes.

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Stay Ahead of the Changes

The pace of regulatory change in UK haulage isn't slowing down. Between the expanded 56-day record rule, AETR alignment, SMT2 deadlines, and increased DVSA enforcement activity, there's a lot to track — and the consequences of getting it wrong range from on-the-spot fines to operator licence reviews.

The best thing any transport manager or fleet owner can do right now is carry out a compliance audit against the current rules, update driver briefing materials to reflect the new terminology and requirements, and make sure your tachograph data management is genuinely fit for purpose.

Try TruckCheck free or get in touch to see how it works.