Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Driver's Handbook - Transport

3• Have at least two nights of unrestricted sleep to repay ‘sleep debt’ tobecome completely refreshed.• Look after your health and fitness with regular exercise and a healthydiet.• Never drink alcohol before or during your trip.• Never drive longer than the legal work and rest hours, or agree to aroster that is longer than the legal work and rest hours.• Roadside rest areasRest areas are available 24 hours a day year round and are clearlysignposted. Service centres, petrol stations, parks and country towns areother places you can stop and take a break from driving.• The National Driving Hours RegulationThe Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2001 sets themaximum hours of driving, working, and minimum hours of rest for heavytrucks and commercial bus drivers.Driving And Work limitsThe driving and work limits are like speed limits. They state the maximumtime allowed in ideal conditions, that is, when drivers are well rested andalert. If you are likely to be fatigued for any reason you should not try to dothe maximum time allowed.Rest limitsThe rest requirements are the minimum you should have, even when youfeel well rested and alert. If you feel fatigued, you may need more rest. Beprepared to take additional rest breaks throughout your trip. When you feeltired, stop, take a break or have a sleep.Driving, other Work And rest limitsThe tables that follow set the maximum driving, other work limits and theminimum rest requirements provided by the Regulation.In a period referred to in column one, a driver must not drive or do otherwork for more than the period referred to in column two. A driver must alsohave a total rest time for a period of not less than the time referred to incolumn three.26Tasmanian Heavy Vehicle Handbook