Legal Responsibilities for Employers and Employees

Legal Responsibilities for Driving at Work

The law is clear: driving for work must be managed in the same way as any other workplace risk. Both employers and employees have legal duties to ensure that work-related driving is planned, controlled, and carried out safely.

Driving is not just a road traffic issue. When a journey is undertaken for work purposes, it becomes a health and safety responsibility.

Employer Duties When Managing Driving at Work

Employers have a legal duty to identify, assess, and control the risks associated with driving for work. This duty is set out in health and safety legislation and applies to all work-related journeys.

Employers must ensure that:

• Driving risks are properly assessed as part of the organisation’s risk management process
• Work-related journeys are planned safely, including realistic schedules and rest breaks
• Vehicles used for work are safe, suitable, and well maintained
• Drivers are competent, trained, and authorised to use the vehicles provided
• Clear information, instruction, and training are given to drivers

Vehicles used for work must be:

• Roadworthy and regularly maintained
• Correctly insured for business use
• Appropriate for the type of work being carried out

If employees use their own vehicles for work purposes, employers still have a responsibility to check that those vehicles are safe, roadworthy, and insured for business use.

Employee Duties When Driving for Work

Employees also have clear legal responsibilities when driving as part of their job.

Employees must:

• Hold a valid driving licence for the vehicle they are using
• Comply with road traffic law and the Highway Code
• Be fit to drive and capable of driving safely
• Not drive while tired, unwell, distracted, or impaired
• Avoid alcohol, drugs, or medication that may affect driving ability

Employees must also:

• Report vehicle defects or safety concerns immediately
• Follow company driving policies and safe systems of work
• Cooperate with journey planning, rest breaks, and working time arrangements

Managing Work Pressure Safely

Work pressure must never be allowed to compromise safety. Neither employers nor employees should accept unsafe behaviour in order to meet deadlines.

This means:

• No rushing or speeding to save time
• No skipping rest breaks
• No use of handheld mobile phones while driving

Safety must always come before productivity. If a journey cannot be completed safely, it must be delayed or stopped.

Key Legal Message

Driving at work is a shared legal responsibility. Employers must provide safe systems, vehicles, and planning, while employees must drive responsibly and follow the rules. When both sides meet their duties, the risk of serious injury or death is significantly reduced.