A number of operators have been asking us recently for clarification around the recent changes to drivers’ hour law regarding manual entries.

The legislation changes are not new and actually came into effect back in August 2020, but the DVSA were unable to enforce the changes due to Covid restrictions.

However, the changes are now being enforced and we are aware of many operators who have been caught out as they were unaware of the changes and what is now needed to provide ‘full and proper’ records.

In summary, a driver must record all of their activities, 24 hours a day 7 days week, including when out of hours, ie holidays, rest or sick. They must be able to evidence all of this information, should they be checked on the roadside, for the previous 28 days.

The data must be recorded in one of three ways:
➡️ the driver card
➡️ an analogue chart
➡️ digital print outs.

The DVSA are recommending that anyone who drives in scope of EU rules, however infrequently, take a couple of minutes each day to record all their activities as this means they will have the necessary records to hand, if stopped.

Our Tachograph module can report when manual entries have not been completed so operators can educate their drivers.