Understanding Driver Hours and Staying Compliant If you’re an HGV driver, you already know that the European Union (EU) rules on drivers' hours and working time aren’t just rules — they’re there to keep you safe, protect your licence, and make sure everyone on the road gets home safely. At Elite, we work with professional drivers every day who take pride in doing things right, so, here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know to stay compliant with EU driver hours regulations : Why Driver Hours Matter The EU driver hours rules are designed to prevent fatigue and make sure drivers get proper rest between shifts. It’s not just about avoiding fines (though that’s important too!) it’s about: Keeping yourself and others safe on the road Protecting your job and your HGV licence Helping transport companies stay compliant with DVSA standards The Basics: EU Driver Hours Rules Here’s a quick guide to the main rules : Daily Driving Limits You can drive a maximum of 9 hours a day You can extend this to 10 hours twice a week Weekly Driving Limits No more tha n 56 hours of driving in one week No more than 90 hours over any two consecutive weeks Breaks and Rest After 4 hours 30 minutes of driving, you must take a 45-minute break You can split it into 15 minutes + 30 minutes, but the total must be at least 45 minutes before driving again Daily Rest You must have at lea st 11 hours of rest every 24 hours This can be reduced to 9 hours, up to three times per week You can split your daily rest into two periods — one of at least 3 hours, followed by another of at least 9 hours Weekly Rest You must take at lea st 45 hours of rest every week You can reduce this to 24 hours every other week, but you must make up the difference before the end of the third week You can take weekly rest in your cab only if it’s properly equipped and parked in a safe place Using Your Tachograph Correctly A few key reminders : Always use your own driver card — it’s illegal to share or use anyone else’s. Insert your card before you start your shift and remove it when you finish. Record all activities : Driving Rest and breaks Other work (loading, paperwork, waiting time, etc.) Periods of availability (when you’re waiting but not actively working) Make manual entries when needed - If you’ve carried out any work or rest away from the vehicle, such as: Loading or unloading before inserting your card Taking a rest period before your shift Travelling as a passenger Then you must manually enter this information when you insert your driver card, so your record is complete. Manual entries ensure your tachograph data reflects your full day, not just the time you were driving. Common Mistakes to Avoid Even experienced drivers can slip up. Here are a few common issues to watch out for: Forgetting to take your 45-minute break after 4.5 hours driving Extending your daily drive time too often Not taking compensatory rest after a reduced weekly rest Missing manual entries for off-vehicle work or rest periods A small mistake can lead to fines, points, or disciplinary action Elite Standards: Helping You Stay Safe and Legal We know the transport industry inside out and we’re here to help you succeed. Here’s how we support you: Guidance on working time and rest periods Ongoing support for any compliance or driver hours queries Because when you work with Elite , you’re backed by a team that values safety, professionalism, and compliance as much as you do. Final Thought If you need some extra information about staying legal you can find the full guidance here (link the Gov Guidance) European Union (EU) rules on drivers’ hours and working time – simplified guidance Know your hours. Record your work. Make your manual entries. 📩 Ready to work with a team that values compliance and professionalism? Register with Elite today — and drive with confidence.
Whether you’re a HGV Driver , Transport Planner , or Logistics Manager , your CV is the first impression you make on a potential employer — and in a competitive industry, that first impression matters. A strong CV can help you stand out, showcase your experience, and land interviews for the roles you really want. Here are our top tips to help you write a CV that gets noticed 👇🏼 1) Start with the Basics — and Get Them Right It might sound simple, but you’d be surprised how many CVs miss key details. Make sure your CV includes: Full name and up-to-date contact details (phone number and email) Current location or area you’re willing to work in Licences and qualifications (C, CE, CPC, Digi Card, ADR, etc.) A short personal summary at the top that highlights your skills and experience Keep it clean, professional, and easy to read — ideally one or two pages maximum. 2) Tailor It to the Role Every transport or logistics job is slightly different, so don’t use the same CV for every application. Read the job advert carefully and highlight the skills and experience that match what the employer is asking for. For example: If it’s a Tramping role , mention your experience with long-distance or nights out. If it’s a Transport Planning position , focus on route planning, fleet management, or software systems you’ve used. 3) Showcase Achievements, Not Just Duties Recruiters and hiring managers want to know what you achieved, not just what you did. Instead of saying: “Responsible for daily route planning.” Try: “Planned and optimised delivery routes for 40+ vehicles, improving efficiency and reducing costs by 10%.” Where possible, include numbers or results — it shows impact and professionalism. 4) Highlight Industry Skills and Training In logistics and transport, compliance and training matter. Include: CPC or ADR certifications Health and safety training Tachograph and WTD knowledge IT systems (like Mandata, Paragon, or Microlise) Leadership or people management experience This helps employers quickly see that you’re compliant, competent, and ready to hit the ground running. 5) Keep It Professional — in Format and Tone Avoid complicated templates or heavy graphics. A simple, well-structured layout works best: Use clear headings (Experience, Education, Licences, Skills) Keep fonts clean and easy to read Save your CV as a PDF to maintain formatting And always double-check spelling and grammar — small errors can leave a poor impression. 6) Add a Strong Personal Statement Your personal statement (or professional summary) should be a few sentences that quickly tell employers who you are and what you bring to the table. Example: “Experienced Class 1 HGV Driver with 5+ years’ experience in general haulage and event logistics. Reliable, compliant, and passionate about delivering great service.” This is your elevator pitch — keep it confident, concise, and relevant. 7) Keep It Current Make sure your most recent role and achievements are clearly listed. If you’ve had recent training, new qualifications, or experience with new clients or routes — add them. A CV that looks regularly updated shows that you take your career seriously. Final Tip: Get a Second Opinion Before sending your CV, ask someone you trust (or your recruiter!) to review it. At Elite , we’re always happy to offer honest feedback and advice to help your application stand out. A great CV opens doors and we’re here to help you step through them. 📩 Looking for your next role in transport or logistics? Register with Elite today and let’s find the right fit for your experience and goals.
In transport and logistics recruitment, compliance isn’t optional, it’s essential. It protects your business, your workforce, and your reputation. But while most agencies operate legitimately, some use non-compliant payroll schemes to reduce costs or avoid paying full tax and National Insurance contributions. On the surface, everything can look fine, they are supplying workers and rates appear competitive. But beneath that, you could unknowingly be part of a non-compliant supply chain and that comes with serious consequences. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Red Flags to Watch For Here are some common warning signs that an agency might be operating a non-compliant payroll model : 1) Charge Rates That Seem Too Low If an agency’s rates look too good to be true , they probably are. Unsustainably cheap charge rates often mean corners are being cut, typically through non-compliant payroll practices or unpaid tax contributions. 2) No Breakdown of Costs Every compliant recruitment agency should be able to show a clear breakdown of their charge rate, covering Pay, National Insurance, Pension, Holiday Pay and Margin. If their Margin is too low or they can't provide a breakdown, it’s a red flag. 3) No Transparency on Payroll Partners If your agency won’t tell you which payroll companies they use, or keeps changing providers — be cautious. A legitimate supplier should openly share who manages worker pay and demonstrate compliance with HMRC standards. 4) No Access to Payslips or RTI Reports If you or the workers can’t access proper payslips, or the agency can’t show Real Time Information (RTI) submissions to HMRC, that’s a serious issue. These are fundamental parts of a compliant payroll system. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Consequences of Non-Compliance Choosing the wrong recruitment partner doesn’t just the quality of workers, it can directly impact your business. Here’s what can happen if your agency is linked to a non-compliant payroll scheme : Financial Penalties – HMRC can hold you responsible for unpaid tax, National Insurance, or VAT — even if you didn’t know about the fraud. Legal Action – Under the Criminal Finances Act, companies can be penalised for facilitating or benefiting from tax evasion in their supply chain. Reputational Damage – Being associated with tax avoidance or non-compliance can seriously harm your credibility with clients, employees, and stakeholders. Operational Disruption – If a non-compliant payroll company is deregistered by HMRC, it can cause sudden staff shortages and major disruption to your operation. In short, if your recruitment agency isn’t compliant, neither are you. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How Elite Keeps You Protected At Elite , compliance isn’t a tick-box exercise, it’s part of who we are. We believe every client deserves complete transparency and peace of mind . Here’s how we do it: Full transparency on pay and charge rates Clear information about all payroll partners Auditable RTI reports and payslips Regular internal compliance checks and open client audits We’re proud to operate to the highest professional and ethical standards, ensuring our clients and candidates are always protected. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Final Thought If your agency can’t confidently explain how payroll is managed, or if something doesn’t add up — ask questions. If you want to partner with a recruitment agency that values integrity, transparency, and trust - partner with Elite. 📩 Get in touch to learn more about our compliance standards and how we help logistics businesses stay protected.
