NHVR work and rest hours, explained
The four standard-hours rules for solo truck drivers, how the NHVR counts time from the end of a rest break, and how a written work diary rounds to 15 minutes.
The short answer
A solo driver on standard hours may work at most 5 h 15 min in any 5½ hours, 10 h in any 11 hours and 12 h in any 24 hours, and needs 7 hours of continuous stationary rest in every 24.
The four rules for one shift
| In any period of | Work no more than | Rest at least |
|---|---|---|
| 5½ hours | 5 h 15 min | 15 continuous min |
| 8 hours | 7 h 30 min | 30 min, in blocks of 15 continuous min |
| 11 hours | 10 h | 60 min, in blocks of 15 continuous min |
| 24 hours | 12 h | 7 continuous hours, stationary |
Over longer periods: 6 night rest breaks in any 7 days, and in any 28 days no more than 288 hours of work plus four rests of 24 continuous hours.
How time is counted
This is where most breaches come from. A 5½, 8 or 11-hour period doesn't start once at the start of the shift: a new one starts at the end of every rest break, and each must pass on its own. A 24-hour period starts at the end of the major rest before the shift, and later breaks don't reset it.
In a written work diary, time is recorded in 15-minute blocks. Work is rounded up to the next 15 minutes and rest is rounded down, so a 14-minute break counts as no break at all.
Work includes more than driving
Work is more than driving: loading and unloading, inspecting, servicing or repairing the vehicle, cleaning or refuelling it, and filling in the work diary all count as work. Only time away from those tasks counts as rest.
Common questions
How many hours can a truck driver work in a day in Australia?
Under NHVR standard hours, a solo driver can work up to 12 h in any 24 hours, with at least 7 h of continuous stationary rest.
When does a 24-hour period start?
Periods of 24 hours or more are counted from the end of the major rest break. Shorter periods (5½, 8 and 11 hours) are counted forward from the end of any rest break.
Does a 10-minute break count?
No. Rest has to be taken in blocks of at least 15 continuous minutes to count. A written work diary counts time in 15-minute periods: work rounds up and rest rounds down.
Do these rules apply in WA?
No. WA and the NT have their own fatigue management rules. These are the NHVR rules for the HVNL states and the ACT.
Sources
- NHVR — Standard hours — checked 2026-09-30
- NHVR — Counting time — checked 2026-09-30
A guide, not legal advice. Your permit, notice, registration or accreditation can set different limits; check them before you rely on a figure here.