The Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2012 came into force on 11 May, 2012.

The Regulations amend the Working Time Regulations 2005 by extending their scope to apply to self-employed drivers and owner drivers.  Does that mean you?

Owner-drivers must now also adhere to the Working Time Directive (WTD) after escaping inclusion for seven years. The WTD restricts working time to an average 48-hour week and insists that records are kept for two years.

The government was been forced to act after the European Commission began infringement proceedings against 13 member states, including the UK and Ireland. Penalties include unlimited fines. Northern Ireland regulations were also amended at the same time.

The Department for Transport says VOSA will adopt a light touch to enforcement for the first six months, advising rather than prosecuting offenders. No one has yet been prosecuted under the original 2005 regulations, suggesting that this approach is the norm.