The Department for Transport has agreed to a temporary and limited, exceptional relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules, for those effected by the situation in Calais. This will only apply to the UK.

The temporary relaxation applies from 00:01 on Thursday, 30 July 2015 and will run for a period of 30 days at the times when Operation Stack is in place.

It is only for 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.

The department can withdraw or suspend the relaxation earlier if circumstances change.