From Monday 5 March, 2018, new drivers’ hours rules are being introduced in Great Britain that mean drivers can be fined for offences committed within the last 28 days.

Currently, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can fine drivers up to £300 for offences committed that day or for ongoing offences, like manipulating tachograph records.

Under the new rules, DVSA traffic examiners will start issuing on-the-spot fines for older offences. This means that, in a single roadside check, DVSA traffic examiners can issue fines for up to five drivers’ hours offences. For drivers who have consistently broken the rules, this could mean a fine of up to £1,500 in a single check.

“DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles,” said DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn. “These tougher fines will help us to take stronger action against any drivers or operators who break drivers’ hours rules and will help make our roads safer.”

Traffic examiners have also started issuing fines to deal with drivers who don’t properly rest. The rules stipulate that truck, bus and coach drivers must take a 45-hour rest break at least every fortnight. Since 1 November 2017, DVSA has been issuing fines of up to £300 to drivers who have spent their full weekly rest break in their vehicle in places where it causes a problem. This includes spending their rest break in the cab of their vehicle where they might not get adequate rest or could cause problems in local communities.

“There’s no excuse for driving while tired,” added Llewellyn. “The results of falling asleep at the wheel of a 40-tonne lorry can be devastating to families and communities. Any drivers breaking these rules is putting other road users at risk and could face losing their licence and livelihood.”

Click here for the DVSA’s guide to drivers’ hours rules.