Hi all,
Passed my test last September and getting some experience out on the road. Just wondering how strict are VOSA when it comes to driving hours? Is there any discretion if I go a couple of minutes over my due break time?
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browny2004:
Hi all,
Passed my test last September and getting some experience out on the road. Just wondering how strict are VOSA when it comes to driving hours? Is there any discretion if I go a couple of minutes over my due break time?
As long as you don’t make a habit of going over the driving time there’s shouldn’t be a problem.
The DVSA will make allowances however you should not be planning to be cavalier with the drivers hours or driving breaks, do what you can to stay within the rules and you should be fine.
However do remember that any infringements will be on your card for any prospective employers to see, I don’t know what your circumstances are but if you work through agencies it’s not very impressive when a company you’ve never been to before downloads your card at the start of a shift and see a [zb] load of infringements 
As far as the DVSA are concerned, on the whole if we’re talking about the occasional minute or two over your driving time it’s not going to mark you for life but if it looks like you’re not bothering to try to stay within the rules there could be consequences.
Don’t believe everything you hear about the DVSA mate, on the few occasions I’ve come into contact with them they’ve been friendly and helpful, treat them with a decent attitude and they’re likely to treat you in the same way, give them bad attitude and they’re likely to give it back … just like most other people in fact
Thanks mate. I asked the question because yesterday I was 2 mins late going on break but I normally make sure I’m on break 4hrs 15 mins.
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Its fine with 2 mins. Don’t make a habit, try to plan your breaks ahead.
The above posts are all true. But if you plan to run to 4-15 and then get past 4-30, more than once or twice, you should plan on stopping earlier.
There is allowance for unforeseen delays on the road, but not for regular delays!
Crowded roads etc don`t allow for accurate prediction of driving times, so maybe adjust expectations a little?
I went 12 minutes over my driving time on my last shift. Was delivering to Greenwich which should have been 3 1/2 hours max but ended up with three detours due to M25 been closed. You can argue (correctly) that wasn’t unforeseen - I had checked and knew about the closures. But the diversion on the last closure was horrific and badly signposted and it took a long time… and went through lots of small villages with nowhere to park safely. Ended up eventually back on the M25 (nowhere to stop) then the A2 (clearway, most side roads have weight restrictions) before finding somewhere off the A102.
I took a printout and made notes about what happened on the back, but lesson learnt and would plan to stop much earlier if I faced that scenario again.