Horsebox Driving Regulations – Do you know the rules?

Do you drive a horsebox over 3.5 tonne horsebox? Whether this is for transporting horses to go for a hack, go to a competition or to travel abroad all the same rules apply. EU regulation has been introduced to limit horsebox driving time and minimum requirements for break and rest periods for most drivers of goods vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes. These rules do not apply for recreational or hobby riders that drive between a 3.5 and 7.5 tonne HGV Horsebox where they transport privately owned horses. However they do apply to professional horse riders, horse dealers, horse trainers or any other person that competes, rides, trains or breeds horses as part of a business. If you fall into this bracket make yourself familiar with the following legislations:

Once on the road, you can not exceed your nine hours of driving a day. This can be extended twice a week to ten hours a day. In a week you cannot exceed 56 hours and in a consecutive two week period you can’t drive more than 90 hours.

Taking a Break when driving is crucial. Horsebox drivers must take at least a 45 minute break for every 4 and a half hours of driving completed.

Daily rest has to be taken to fit within EU legislation. Every day a total of 11 consecutive hours of daily rest must be taken. This can be reduced to 9 hours on no more than three occasions between any two week period. You can split your daily rest into two sessions as long as the first session is no less than 3hours and the second is no less than 9hours.

The Department of Transport (DfT) state that people who own a HGV horsebox which is over 7.5 tonnes also have to adhere to these rules. This even applies if they are transporting privately owned horses for a recreational reason. The implications of this new rule mean for example, a recreational/hobby rider who works full time can only drive one day at the weekend before having to have a weekly rest period of at least 45 consecutive hours. The rules are inconsistent as they would allow a housewife who could easily of worked harder and worked longer hours to drive a HGV horsebox over 7.5tonnes on both days at the weekend.

With these new rules in place, it is crucial that you adhere to them as you could face harsh penalties and fines otherwise. It is imperative that you are familiar with the rules so to find out more information contact the Department of Transport. Whatever the size of your vehicle be sure to make sure that it is insured. E&L Horsebox Insurance offers a variety of policies to suit you. Visit www.eandl.co.uk/equine/horse-box.

Source:
www.smallholder.co.uk/news/smallholdernews/4515353.print, 31st July 2009
www.horseandhound.co.uk/printview/index.php?aid=286626, 24th July 2009