UK Driver Hours in 2025: AETR, Tachographs and Compliance Explained

If you're running HGVs in 2025, you'll already know that compliance doesn't stand still. Between post-Brexit regulatory changes, new tachograph technology rolling out, and the DVSA ramping up enforcement, there's a lot to keep on top of this year. This post breaks down the most important updates — including the April 2025 AETR transition, Smart Tachograph 2 deadlines, and what it all means day-to-day for drivers and transport managers.

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The Big Change: AETR Rules for International Operations

On 21 April 2025, the DVSA formally transitioned international HGV operations to the AETR framework — the European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport. If your drivers are crossing into Europe, this is the ruleset that now governs them, replacing the previous EU drivers' hours framework the UK had carried over post-Brexit.

The practical headlines are straightforward, but the impact is significant.

Record-Keeping Has Doubled

Drivers on international routes must now be able to produce 56 days of tachograph records — including the current day — when requested at the roadside. That's double the previous 28-day requirement. For enforcement officers, this means a much clearer picture of driving patterns over time. For operators, it means your record storage and retrieval processes need to be airtight.

If you're using compliance software like TruckCheck, pulling those records together quickly is straightforward. If you're still relying on paper-based systems or scattered digital files, this is a wake-up call to get organised.

Rest Period Flexibilities Have Been Restricted

Under the previous EU-aligned rules, certain flexibilities existed around weekly rest periods — including some "return-to-base" provisions and interruptions to rest. Under AETR, these have been tightened or removed for international trips. Drivers need to plan their rest more carefully, and schedulers need to build that into route planning from the start.

Domestic Rules Haven't Changed

It's worth being clear: UK domestic operations are not affected. If your vehicles stay within UK borders, the rules you've always followed still apply:

• Daily driving limit: 9 hours (extendable to 10 hours a maximum of twice per week)
• Break requirement: 45 minutes after no more than 4.5 hours of driving (can be split into a 15-minute break followed by a 30-minute break)
• Weekly driving limit: 56 hours
• Fortnightly limit: 90 hours

These domestic rules apply under GB domestic regulations. Make sure your drivers — and anyone doing their scheduling — know which ruleset applies to each job.

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Smart Tachograph Version 2: Deadlines You Can't Miss

Alongside the AETR transition, the rollout of Smart Tachograph Version 2 (SMT2) is continuing, and the DVSA is enforcing it strictly.

Key Deadlines

• 18 August 2025: All HGVs operating internationally that are currently fitted with a first-generation Smart Tachograph (SMT1) must be retrofitted with SMT2.
• 1 July 2026: Light commercial vehicles (vans) between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for international hire or reward must also be fitted with SMT2.

If you have international vehicles still running on SMT1, the August deadline is weeks away as you read this. Get your retrofit booked now if you haven't already — workshops are likely to get busy.

What SMT2 Actually Does

SMT2 isn't just an upgrade for the sake of it. These devices bring genuinely useful capabilities:

• Automatic border detection — the tachograph logs when a vehicle crosses into a different country without the driver needing to manually input it
• Loading and unloading logs — records when goods are loaded or unloaded, adding an extra layer of operational transparency
• Remote data access for enforcement — DVSA officers can interrogate tachograph data remotely, without needing to pull the vehicle over

That last point matters. The era of enforcement only happening at the roadside is fading. The DVSA is increasingly using remote monitoring to identify compliance issues before a vehicle is even stopped.

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Enforcement: The DVSA Is Watching More Closely

It's not just new technology driving change — enforcement activity has increased meaningfully in 2025. The DVSA has stepped up roadside spot checks and is making greater use of remote tachograph data to flag potential infringements.

The financial penalties for non-compliance start at £300 per infringement. Repeat offending or serious violations can lead to vehicle immobilisation and, critically, operator licence reviews. For any haulage business, losing or restricting an operator licence isn't just a fine — it's an existential threat.

The DVSA Earned Recognition audit standards for HGV operators set out exactly what's expected of operators in terms of drivers' hours management, tachograph analysis, and record retention. Even if you're not seeking Earned Recognition status, these standards are a useful benchmark for where your compliance processes should be. Auditors and enforcement officers broadly use the same framework when assessing whether an operator is running a well-managed fleet.

Using a system like TruckCheck to monitor tachograph data, flag infringements, and maintain records gives you a defensible audit trail if your operation is ever scrutinised.

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What Else Is Happening in 2025

A few other developments worth being aware of:

Driver availability is still tight. The acute shortage of 2021 has eased, but the structural problem hasn't gone away. Around 26% of businesses reported unfilled driver vacancies in Q4 2024, and with roughly 55% of HGV drivers currently aged between 50 and 65, the industry is heading towards a significant retirement wave. Retaining experienced drivers and managing their workloads compliantly is more important than ever.

Scotland speed limits under review. There are ongoing legislative discussions about raising HGV speed limits on single carriageways in Scotland to 50mph, bringing them in line with England and Wales. Nothing is confirmed yet, but it's worth following if you operate cross-border routes within Great Britain.

Digital medical renewals being piloted. The DVLA is trialling a digital-first medical renewal process for drivers over 45, aimed at cutting the delays that have frustrated many drivers trying to renew their licences. If this rolls out fully, it should make the renewal process significantly less painful.

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Staying on top of all this isn't optional — but it doesn't have to be overwhelming either. Clear processes, up-to-date technology, and the right compliance tools make a real difference.

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