From 01 November, the DVSA will start to punish drivers who take full weekly rest breaks in cabs outside formal rest areas (i.e. service areas and truck stops). This will apply to weekly rests taken in public lay-bys, on or close to public roads and on motorway slip roads. Penalties will include fines and prohibitions.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “We are worried that many operators won’t know of the change in the law and could be fined if they park inappropriately.

“Rest facilities for HGV drivers are scarce and in order to comply with their working hours they need somewhere safe and secure to rest. The authorities are duty-bound to tackle this urgent problem.

“Punishing drivers for illegal parking is one thing, but changes to the current, poorly equipped infrastructure must be made in order to keep Britain’s economy moving.”

The RHA recommends that where weekend rests are taken in paid for lorry parking facilities that drivers keep receipts to demonstrate they have parked appropriately.

Road Haulage Association

About the Author: John Loughran