UK Driver Hours Rules Have Changed: Is Your Fleet Compliant?

If you're running HGVs on UK or international routes, there's a good chance some of the rules your drivers operate under have just changed. As of 21 April 2025, updated drivers' hours regulations have come into force, and they bring some meaningful differences — particularly around record keeping, tachograph equipment, and which ruleset applies to international journeys. Whether you're a transport manager keeping tabs on compliance or a driver trying to understand what's expected of you at a roadside check, it's worth getting across these changes sooner rather than later.

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What's Actually Changed — and Why

The short version: the UK has been tidying up its transport law since Brexit, and this latest update is part of that process. References to "EU law" in drivers' hours legislation have been replaced with "assimilated drivers' hours rules" — the UK's own legal framework that mirrors much of what was previously in place, but now sits firmly under domestic law.

It's not a complete overhaul, but there are specific changes that will affect how operators and drivers handle records, equipment, and international routes. The DVSA has updated its official guidance to reflect all of this, so if you haven't reviewed it recently, now's the time.

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Record Keeping: The 56-Day Rule Is Now In Effect

This is probably the biggest practical change for drivers on international runs. Previously, drivers needed to be able to produce 28 days' worth of records during a roadside inspection. That requirement has now doubled to 56 days for international journeys.

That means drivers need to carry or have accessible:

• Digital tachograph data
• Analogue charts (where applicable)
• Any manual records made during that period

For operators, this raises the stakes around how you store and retrieve tachograph data. If a driver gets stopped at the border or during a spot check and can't account for 56 days of activity, that's a serious compliance failure — and potentially an OCRS (Operator Compliance Risk Score) hit you don't want.

Keeping on top of this manually is a headache. Tools like Fleet77 are designed specifically to help operators store and access tacho data quickly, so you're not scrambling when enforcement comes knocking.

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AETR Rules Now Apply to Non-EU International Routes

If your vehicles travel to or from countries outside the EU — think countries like Turkey, Ukraine, or other non-EU AETR signatory nations — your drivers must now follow AETR rules (the European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles engaged in International Road Transport) for those journeys.

This matters because AETR and the UK's domestic rules aren't identical. If your drivers are crossing into non-EU countries and your compliance procedures haven't been updated to reflect this, you could find yourself in a grey area — or worse, facing enforcement action abroad or on re-entry.

The DVSA has also updated its country lists to make it clearer which nations fall under EU rules versus AETR rules, so it's worth having a look at the refreshed guidance on GOV.UK to check where your regular routes land.

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Smart Tachograph 2: Retrofit Deadlines Are Coming Up Fast

This one has two deadlines, and the first is very close.

August 18, 2025 — Smart Tachograph 1 Vehicles

If your vehicles are currently fitted with a Smart Tachograph version 1, you're required to retrofit them with Smart Tachograph 2 devices by 18 August 2025. That's only a few months away, and given supply chain and fitting appointment lead times, operators should be booking this in now if they haven't already.

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

Vehicles in the 2.5 to 3.5 tonne gross vehicle weight range get a slightly longer runway, with the Smart Tachograph 2 retrofit required by 1 July 2026. But don't leave it too late — this affects a large number of vehicles and fitting capacity across the industry will be in demand.

Smart Tachograph 2 devices offer improved functionality, including remote early detection capabilities for enforcement officers. From a compliance standpoint, they're more transparent — which means there's less room for errors or oversights to go unnoticed.

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Updated Definitions and Guidance Worth Knowing

Alongside the headline changes, the DVSA has also introduced a formal definition of "goods" in the context of drivers' hours rules. This might sound minor, but clear definitions matter when you're trying to determine whether a particular journey falls within scope of the regulations.

There's also updated guidance on:

• Broadcasting derogations — clarifying the rules for vehicles used in radio or television broadcasting, which have always sat in slightly different territory
• Which specific regulations apply to drivers' hours and working time — a useful reference if you're ever unsure which ruleset governs a particular journey type

If you operate under the DVSA's Earned Recognition scheme, staying current with these updates is particularly important. The DVSA Earned Recognition audit standards for HGV operators set out exactly what's expected in terms of compliance monitoring, and tachograph management sits right at the heart of those standards.

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What You Should Do Right Now

Here's a straightforward checklist to work through:

1. Review your tachograph equipment — identify which vehicles need Smart Tachograph 2 retrofits and get bookings made before the August deadline
2. Update your record-keeping procedures — make sure drivers on international routes understand the 56-day requirement and that your systems can support it
3. Check your international routes — confirm whether any journeys go to non-EU AETR countries and update driver briefings accordingly
4. Read the updated DVSA guidance — it's been refreshed to cover all of the above and is the definitive reference for operators

Compliance isn't just about avoiding fines — it protects your licence, your drivers, and your business reputation. Keeping your procedures up to date with changes like these is exactly what separates well-run fleets from those that end up in front of a Traffic Commissioner.

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Want to make tachograph compliance and record keeping easier to manage? Try Fleet77 free or get in touch to see how it works.