HGV Driving Hours Calculator UK – Breaks & Rest Period Tool
The HGV Driving Hours Calculator helps UK lorry, LGV and PCV drivers plan their driving time, breaks and rest periods according to EU Drivers’ Hours Rules and the Working Time Directive (WTD). This tool is designed for new and experienced drivers who want to stay compliant, avoid fines, prevent fatigue and understand exactly how many hours they can drive legally in a day or week.
For a complete explanation of legal breaks and rest periods, read our full HGV breaks and rest periods UK guide. You can also use this page alongside our HGV Compliance Score to understand your overall DVSA compliance risk.
Under EU Drivers’ Hours Rules, an HGV driver can drive a maximum of 9 hours per day. This can be increased to 10 hours twice per week. For more wider driver rules, visit our HGV Driver Guide UK.
After 4 hours 30 minutes of driving, you must take a break of at least 45 minutes. This can be split into 15 minutes + 30 minutes. Our detailed HGV driving hours and rest periods guide explains this rule in more detail.
Drivers must take a minimum daily rest of 11 hours. This can be reduced to 9 hours up to three times per week. If you are preparing for professional driver training, see our HGV Driver Training UK page.
Weekly driving is limited to 56 hours, and the maximum for any two consecutive weeks is 90 hours. These limits are important for DVSA roadside checks and operator compliance.
Working Time Directive (WTD) — 48 Hour Average
The Working Time Directive applies to all mobile workers, including HGV drivers. It limits the average working week to 48 hours over a 17-week reference period. The maximum working time in any single week is 60 hours, as long as the 48-hour average is maintained.
GB Domestic Rules
Some drivers operate under GB Domestic Rules instead of EU Rules. These include a maximum duty time of 11 hours and a 30-minute break after 5.5 hours of duty. Always check which rules apply to your journey, vehicle and operation.
Who Should Use This HGV Driving Hours Calculator?
This tool is useful for new HGV drivers, experienced drivers, transport managers, operators and anyone who needs to understand UK driving hours rules. It is also helpful for drivers preparing for CPC exams using our CPC Practice Test UK.
Official Guidance
For official rules, visit: GOV.UK — Drivers’ Hours Rules.
HGV Driver Hours Calculator
UK Drivers Hours Rules — check your compliance instantly