Free Tool · Long-Drive Planning
Driving Break Planner
Quick answer: in a car, stop for at least 15 minutes every 2 hours (Highway Code rule 91) and avoid long drives between midnight and 6am. Lorry drivers in Great Britain and the EU must take 45 minutes after 4 hours 30 minutes of driving; US truck drivers need 30 minutes after 8 hours. Enter your trip to get a stop-by-stop plan.
Questions
Driving breaks — FAQ
How long can I drive without a break?
For a car, the Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. Lorry and coach drivers under the GB and EU drivers' hours rules must take breaks totalling at least 45 minutes after no more than 4 hours 30 minutes of driving. US truck drivers need a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
How many hours can I drive in a day?
There is no legal daily limit for private car drivers in the UK or US, but tiredness causes serious crashes. Lorry drivers under GB/EU rules may drive 9 hours a day (10 hours twice a week) and need at least 11 hours of daily rest; US property-carrying drivers may drive 11 hours within a 14-hour window after 10 hours off duty.
When is the worst time to drive tired?
The Highway Code advises avoiding long journeys between midnight and 6am, when natural alertness is at a minimum. If you feel sleepy, stop somewhere safe, have a caffeine drink and take a short nap; on a motorway, leave at the next exit or services, never stop on the hard shoulder to rest.
Does a break reset my driving time?
For cars it is a recommendation, so any proper rest helps. For lorries under GB/EU rules the 45 minutes can be split into a 15-minute then a 30-minute break. For US trucks the 30-minute break does not extend the 11-hour or 14-hour limits.
Rules from Highway Code rule 91, GOV.UK drivers' hours (GB/EU rules) and the FMCSA hours-of-service summary. This planner simplifies the rules for one trip; professional drivers must follow their full rules, including weekly limits and tachograph or ELD records.