Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the adverse impact of the new road haulage rules.

To provide immediate relief to the shortage of HGV drivers, we granted a temporary and limited relaxation to the drivers’ hours rules to allow additional flexibility to operators. Any changes to weekly rest patterns that results in reduced rest periods must be compensated for in the normal way.

The temporary relaxations of rules are to be used only where necessary, and operators must notify the Department if this measure is used. Driver safety must not be compromised, and drivers should not be expected to drive whilst tired. Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of their employees and other road users.