Understanding Fatigue Rules
Standard hours, Basic Fatigue Management and Advanced Fatigue Management explained in plain English for Australian owner-drivers, including work time, rest time and night rest.
The short version
- Standard hours apply automatically — BFM and AFM are opt-in and require accreditation.
- Work time includes far more than driving: loading, fuelling, inspections and waiting all count.
- Since 1 August 2026 you must also be genuinely fit to drive, not just inside your hours.
Standard hours
Standard hours are the default for a solo driver of a fatigue-regulated heavy vehicle. They set maximum work times and minimum rest times across rolling periods — from a short block of a few hours right through to a fortnight — and each limit must be satisfied independently.
What counts as work time
Basic Fatigue Management (BFM)
BFM allows more flexible work hours in exchange for accredited fatigue management systems, scheduling controls and records. You cannot simply choose to run BFM hours — the operator must be accredited and the driver must be covered by that accreditation.
Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM)
AFM replaces prescriptive hour limits with an approved, risk-based operating plan tailored to a specific operation. It carries the heaviest evidence and audit requirements and is rarely worthwhile for a single-truck operator.
Night rest and the two-up question
- Rest must be genuine continuous rest — a short break inside a work block does not reset your counters.
- Night rest requirements exist because sleep quality is not the same at all hours; plan the schedule around them.
- Two-up operations have their own rest and sleeper berth rules, and each driver keeps their own records.
Hours available is not the same as fit to drive
Official source
Frequently asked questions
How many hours can a truck driver drive in Australia?
Under standard hours a solo driver is limited by maximum work time and minimum rest time across several rolling periods simultaneously. The exact figures are set out in the Heavy Vehicle National Law — confirm them with the NHVR.
Does loading time count as work time?
Yes. Loading, unloading, fuelling, inspections, cleaning and required waiting time all count as work time, not rest.
Can I use BFM hours without accreditation?
No. Basic Fatigue Management hours are only available to drivers operating under an accredited operator's BFM module.
Always refer to the NHVR for official legal requirements.