What this calculator is for
Use it to sketch a working day: the driving you expect, when a break falls due, and how other work fits around it.
The figures you enter are a plan. Whether the day is compliant depends on the activity recorded on the tachograph and driver card, and on the drivers’ hours rules that apply to that work. This page does not replace either record.
When you want driving, breaks and rest from the card itself, use HGV Time Pilot.
Recommended
HGV Time Pilot — Android app + web dashboard
This calculator is for planning a day in advance. HGV Time Pilot is for the shift: a live timer on Android, and a web dashboard for the record afterwards. Where the figures come from your tachograph card, it can show remaining driving, breaks and rest. One account covers Android and the web. Free to install; Pro adds the fuller compliance review and reports. It runs alongside the vehicle tachograph.
- Live shift timer — Driving, Other Work, POA, and Break/Rest, with a heads-up before key drivers’ hours and Working Time limits
- Tachograph card download — USB on Android, with auto-upload to your account from a supported reader
- Web dashboard — drive status and a 14-day preview on Free; day-by-day review, Working Time periods, and PDF reports on Pro
Tip for new drivers
If the shift includes a lot of loading, waiting or other non-driving work, treat the Working Time break and the driving break as two different things. A 15-minute break taken early can count towards the Working Time break on a long duty. It does not take the place of the 45-minute driving break after 4½ hours at the wheel. Time Pilot’s timer includes Other Work and POA, so you can keep those apart from driving during the shift.
Quick day estimate
Estimate only — not legal adviceSketch one working day. Enter the driving and other work you expect, and the notes below compare that with the usual 9-hour daily driving limit and the break after 4½ hours.
Planned day: 5 h total · 4 h driving
- Driving time is within the usual 9-hour daily driving limit (before any legal extension).
- About 30 min of driving left before a mandatory 45-minute driving break is due (simplified).
Drivers’ hours at a glance
Usual limits for goods vehicles under UK and EU drivers’ hours rules. A 10-hour driving day and reduced rest are allowed only in specific cases.
- Daily driving
- Normally 9 hours (extend to 10 hours twice a week)
- Weekly driving
- Maximum 56 hours
- Fortnightly driving
- Maximum 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks
- Driving break
- 45 minutes after 4½ hours driving (or 15 + 30 split)
- Daily rest
- Normally 11 continuous hours (limited reductions allowed)
- Weekly rest
- Normally 45 hours (reductions possible with compensation)
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum daily driving time for HGV drivers in the UK?
Under EU/UK drivers’ hours rules, daily driving is normally limited to 9 hours. You may extend this to 10 hours twice in a week.
When do I need a driving break?
After 4½ hours of driving you must take a break of at least 45 minutes before driving again. That break can be split into at least 15 minutes followed by at least 30 minutes.
Are online HGV hours calculators accurate enough for compliance?
This one is a planning check. It compares the driving and other work you enter with the usual daily driving limit and the break after 4½ hours. It cannot see the rest of your week, reduced rest, or what the tachograph recorded. For that, use the driver card. HGV Time Pilot can review card data where you have downloaded it.
What is HGV Time Pilot?
HGV Time Pilot is the live tool alongside this calculator. The Android app times the shift and can download a tachograph card with a supported USB reader. The web dashboard reviews that record, including Working Time and reports where your plan includes them. One account works on Android and the web. It does not replace the vehicle tachograph.
Does HGV Time Pilot replace my tachograph?
No. The digital tachograph and driver card remain the legal record. Time Pilot runs alongside them: a live shift timer in the cab, and a review of card data on the web. It is not a substitute for the tachograph in the vehicle.
What about Working Time Directive breaks vs drivers’ hours?
Drivers’ hours rules cover driving time, breaks from driving, and daily and weekly rest. Working Time rules also cover other work, such as loading and waiting. A 15-minute break taken early can count towards the Working Time break on a long duty. It does not replace the 45-minute driving break after 4½ hours of driving.
Training, jobs and guides
Compare HGV training providers, browse driving jobs, or read the guides on licences, costs and CPC.