Work time and logbooks

As of 1st of October some of the rules around work time and logbooks are changing considerably.  These changes will affect most transport companies at some level.  Below is a summary of the changes and when they take affect.

Key Changes

Work time and logbooks

• From 1st October 2007, instead of recording ‘on-duty’ time and ‘driving hours’ separately, all time spent working must be recorded as ‘work time’.
• Drivers must take a break of at least 30 minutes after 5.5 hours of ‘work time’, regardless of what kind of work they were doing.
• In any 24 hour period drivers can work a maximum of 13 hours then have to take a break of at least 10 hours.
• Drivers can still work up to 70 hours before they must take a break of at least 24 hours.
• Failure to produce a logbook can result in a fine of up to $2,000/individual, $10,000/company, and 35 demerit points.

Chain of Responsibility

Employers or those that control drivers can face fines of up to $25,000 if they knew, or should have known, that a driver under their control did, or was likely to, breach work time provisions.

Key Dates

• 1st October 2007 - 2 new logbook formats released (general and taxi), and all work time provisions become law.
• 1st April 2008 - All existing logbook exemptions expire.
• 1st July 2008 - Only new format logbooks may be used.