DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (027) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 24 February 2009
Territorial Army
reservists who drive for a living can take part in weekend
military training after the Government secured an important
exemption from EU drivers' hours rules, Transport Minister
Jim Fitzpatrick announced today.
The European Commission has agreed that professional drivers can
take part in reservist exercises at the weekend without breaking
general rules on weekly rest requirements. It means a driver who
finishes his normal driving duties on a Friday can complete a
34-hour period of military training and then resume his normal
driving duties again on a Monday morning - as long as new
safeguards are met.
The new exemption will benefit volunteer reserve forces in the
Territorial Army, Royal Navy Reservists, Royal Marine Reservists
and Royal Auxiliary Air Force as well as cadet instructors.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"It is vital that men and women who want to serve their
country are not prevented from doing so because they are
professional drivers. That is why I am delighted the Government
has been able to secure this important exemption from EU
drivers' hours rules for reservists who drive for a living.
"We've incorporated safeguards to make sure drivers
continue to get enough rest before getting behind the wheel so
this exemption will make a real difference to reservists without
compromising on safety."
The following safeguards have been incorporated into the
exemption to ensure that road safety is not jeopardised:
* The exemption will apply to 15 days' annual camp and 10
weekend training sessions per annum - a total of 35 days. Weekend
training will not be allowed to take place on consecutive weeks
(other than in respect of the 15-day annual camp);
* a regular daily rest period of 11 hours must be taken between
the end of weekend training and start of work for the primary employer;
* a regular weekly rest period of 45 hours must be taken no later
than at the end of the sixth day following a period of weekend training.
The Ministry of Defence will issue guidelines that outline how
drivers can manage their volunteer reserve service in accordance
with the exemption.
Notes to Editors
1. The new EU Regulation on drivers' hours came into force
on 11 April 2007. It limits driving time, sets minimum break and
rest requirements and made the fitting of digital tachographs
mandatory on all new in-scope vehicles registered after 1 May 2006.
2. In simplified terms, they limit drivers to 9 hours driving a
day with a 45 minute break after 41/2 hours, 11 consecutive hours
daily rest and 45 consecutive hours weekly rest every other week.
3. The exemption has been granted in accordance with the
provisions in Article 14.1 of Regulation (EC) 561/2006, applies to
the weekly rest requirements in Article 8(2) and 8(6) of
Regulation (EC) 561/2006.
4. The exemption applies to professional drivers operating solely
within the UK when they are reservists undergoing military
training or providing instruction to members of a Cadet corps
approved by the Defence Secretary.
5. Until such time as the exemption can be transposed into
domestic legislation, it will be implemented by administrative means.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk