← Rules for drivers and motorcyclists
Rule 91: Driving when you are tired
Advice, not law
Fitness to drive (rules 90 to 94)
Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk
- make sure you are fit to drive. Do not begin a journey if you are tired. Get sufficient sleep before embarking on a long journey
- avoid undertaking long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum
- plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended
- if you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop in an emergency area or on a hard shoulder of a motorway (see Rule 262 for guidance on places to take a break when travelling on motorways).
Advice, not law. This rule is not written in capitals, so breaking it is not an offence in itself — but it can still be used in evidence in court to establish liability. The rules that say MUST or MUST NOT are the ones backed by law.
5 theory test questions on this rule
From the DVSA revision question bank. These are not the questions asked in the real theory test. Each one shows the answer, the explanation, and our own note on why every other option is not it.
Car
- Do you need to plan rest stops when you’re planning a long journey? Hazard awareness
- Where should you stop to rest if you feel tired while you're travelling along a motorway? Motorway rules
- You're about to start a journey in freezing weather. What part of your vehicle should you clear of ice and snow? Safety margins