Government relaxes drivers’ hours rules in light of Calais disruption

The Department for Transport (DfT) has agreed to a temporary relaxation of EU drivers’ hours rules.

The temporary relaxation applies only to drivers whose journeys are delayed due to the industrial action or disruption at Calais and who:

• Have used a cross channel ferry or Eurotunnel to reach or leave Kent
• Are waiting within Kent for departure to mainland Europe
• Are driving a commercial vehicle operated from an operating centre in Kent and whose journey has been disrupted

However, the DfT said the relaxation is not available for other commercial vehicle drivers in Kent and is not available for international journeys that do not pass through Kent.

Rules will be relaxed from today (Thursday, July 30) and will run for a period of 30 days at the times when Operation Stack is in place.

The department said it reserves the right to withdraw or suspend the relaxation earlier if circumstances change. This relaxation is under constant review and may be withdrawn or suspended with less than 24 hours’ notice.