Tachograph and Drivers’ Hours Offences
If tachograph or drivers’ hours offences are discovered in the course of a DVSA investigation into your business, the implications can be serious. In many cases, evidence of drivers hours offences will result in your transport business being called to a Public Inquiry hearing before the Traffic Commissioner. If the offences found are particularly severe, your drivers and your business can also face criminal prosecution.
Our Expertise
At Rothera Bray, our specialist transport regulatory lawyers are experts in this niche area of law. We understand that in many cases, company directors can be wholly unaware that drivers hours offences are taking place within their business. It is often a lack of proper tachograph analysis policies and experience that allows problems to go undetected.
We offer a nationwide service, free initial consultations and fixed fees. Speak to a transport lawyer today on 03456 465 465.
Whether your business is currently undergoing a DVSA investigation, or has an upcoming Public Inquiry or criminal court hearing, we can help.
During an initial DVSA investigation, we will:
- Review the allegations and the evidence and work closely with you to determine how the offences occurred
- If necessary arrange for an independent analysis of the raw data
- Assist you to put in place best-practice policies and procedures to ensure future offences cannot take place
- Liaise with the DVSA investigators on your behalf, and represent you during any interview under caution conducted by a DVSA Traffic Examiner
If your business has been called to a Public Inquiry hearing with the Traffic Commissioner, we will:
- Work with you to prepare your case and rectify any compliance failings prior to the hearing
- Represent your business at the Public Inquiry, and seek to get the best outcome possible.
If you or employees of the business have an upcoming prosecution at either the Magistrates or Crown Court, we will:
- Advise you on the allegations, the strength of the evidence, and possible pleas
- Liaise with the prosecutor on your behalf with a view to reducing or discontinuing some or all of the individual charges if possible
- Represent you either at a contested trial or on a guilty plea, and seek to obtain the best outcome possible for you and your business
Types of tachograph and drivers’ hours offences
There are a wide range of tachograph and drivers’ hours offences on the statute books. Some offences are treated more seriously than others. The more common offences include:
- Knowingly creating a false tachograph record under s99ZE of the Transport Act 1968. For example: driving without a digital tachograph card fitted, or driving using someone else’s tachograph card
- Forging or destroying tachograph data
- Using a vehicle with a device fitted to interrupt the tachograph recording device
- Failing to take the required rest or break periods, or incorrectly using the mode switch
- Driving a goods vehicle without a tachograph fitted when an exemption does not apply
The number and the seriousness of the offences will determine any likely sentence. Offences involving dishonesty (e.g. Knowingly withdrawing a driver card to conceal excess hours) can in some severe cases result in a custodial sentence. For expert advice upon tachograph offences and prosecutions contact one of our Specialist Road Transport Solicitors on 03456 465 465.
Send us a message

“Our experienced and specialist team represent clients nationally on a day-to-day basis”
Anton Balkitis
Head of Transport Law

Four-week suspension of HGV driver’s licence at driver conduct hearing following dangerous driving incident
Traffic Commissioner Driver Conduct Hearing – Bristol – December 2020 Chris Powell represented a professional HGV driver at his Driver Conduct Hearing. This was in front of the Traffic Commissioner in December 2020. Background of the case Almost 2 years before, the driver was in a road rage incident in his private car which had […]Posted on 17th February 2021
Transport Business and its Transport Manager issued formal warning only despite several Drivers’ Hours Infringements, including false records
Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiry – January 2021 A parcel operator approached Rothera Bray after receiving an instruction to attend a Public Inquiry with the Traffic Commissioner. This was in relation to drivers’ hours’ infringement. Understanding the Case Anton Balkitis travelled to the operating centre. Here he met with the director of the business and the […]Posted on 17th February 2021stars
Posted 9 January 2026
Will was amazing, very quick to respond and professional in my recent experience with the company. Highly recommended.
Karen A
stars
Posted 7 January 2026
We had an excellent experience working with Amelia. She helped us with setting up trusts for our properties, gifting a property, and preparing our wills, all handled with great professionalism and clarity. Everything was completed to a tight deadline and Amelia ensured the process ran smoothly from start to finish. She also linked us with an accountant and arranged the necessary documentation for related activities and ongoing financial management, which made everything seamless and stress-free. We felt well supported throughout and would highly recommend Amelia’s services.
Matt R
stars
Posted 6 January 2026
Emma was very calm and professional, her advice was spot on especially when dealing with sensitive matters such as the children.
S.S
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
The final run up to completion of our sale was very stressful but we were helped by Luisa, Abbey's assistant. She maintained contact with us and updated us at each stage, extremely calm, empathetic and approachable at all times. She went out of her way to find information for us and keep us informed of the progress.
Residential Sale client
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
We have recently instructed Rothera Bray for the sale of our house and purchase of our new home. It has been a challenging sequence of events, for various reasons outside of our control, but Abbey Freeman has guided us through it, giving us information and explanations very clearly and answering our questions in a timely manner.
Conveyancing client
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
We asked Rothera Bray Solicitors - West Bridgford to write our wills and received excellent service and guidance from Talita Fantauzzi. She was professional and friendly in delivering the advice we needed. We would definitely recommend Rothera Bray Solicitors and would use them for any future legal advice and work we may require.
Susan T
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
I had a really positive experience dealing with George on my settlement agreement. Has was friendly, efficient, and explained everything clearly in plain English, which made the whole process feel much less daunting. Communication was excellent throughout. I was kept informed at every stage and any questions I had were answered promptly. The process was handled quickly and professionally. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Suzi
stars
Posted 5 January 2026
We recently moved house and Julekha and team were amazing. We were kept well informed throughout the selling & buying process and they worked hard to achieve a very tight deadline.
Gary Lee
stars
Posted 23 December 2025
I purchased my first home with an ex-partner and needed to get an equity transfer completed. The situation was very messy and chaotic involving Help to Buy. Lucy and Karen were beyond helpful in explaining everything and dealing with Help to Buy when they were being not very helpful and slow. I feel that the whole drama would be ongoing without their expertise and help. Thank you.
Kirk
stars
Posted 23 December 2025
We enjoyed exceptionally good service from Rothera Bray. Jackie Murphy who handled our conveyancing was outstanding. She is highly professional and dealt with enquiries promptly, often on the same day! Her communication was very good and we always felt well informed. I'd have no hesitation in calling on Rothera Bray again.
Mr Page
stars
Posted 23 December 2025
A brilliant experience from start to finish. A fallen through chain and a few complications on the way, but the service provided was fantastic. Rothera Bray were clear and helpful at all times. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Amy O'Neill
stars
Posted 22 December 2025
I can highly recommend George Cokkinos at Rothera Bray for advice on a settlement agreement. George took the time to fully understand my situation before giving clear and appropriate advice. He was transparent on fees, kept me updated throughout and handled correspondence with my former employer efficiently. The outcome was positive and the process felt well managed from start to finish.
Anonymous

Natalie Abbott
Partner & Head of Employment
Natalie works in our Nottingham office. She is a Partner and Employment Law specialist with over 10 years’ experience representing both businesses and individuals across a range of employment services including settlement agreements, discrimination, dismissals and redundancy.

Anton Balkitis
Partner & Head of Transport
Anton Balkitis leads the Transport Law team and is a nationally recognised Transport and Motoring Law specialist at Nottingham-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors.

Olivia Maginn
Barrister & Senior Associate
Olivia Maginn is a transport and motoring law specialist at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.

Georgina Power
Associate Solicitor
Georgina Power is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Transport team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Chelsey Sewell
Managing Paralegal
Chelsey Sewell is a paralegal in Rothera Bray’s transport and motorist offence department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office in the city centre.

Rebeca Large-Rodriguez
Paralegal
Rebeca Large-Rodriguez is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Transport and Motorist Offence department and is based at our Lace Market office.