Drivers who spend too long behind the wheel for a simple driving rule could be fined up to £1,500.

Drivers who get behind the wheel of heavy machinery such as trucks, buses or coaches must comply with strict rules regarding travel limits.

People who exceed the maximum allowed time can be issued with an instant fine of £300, a major penalty.

Drivers may also run the risk of their vehicles becoming immobile, preventing them from starting completely.

In some extreme cases, DVSA officials can impose fines for offenses worth up to five driving hours.

This means some road users could be fined up to £1,500 for repeatedly breaking the rules.

GOV.UK He explained: “As well as fining drivers for recent offences, DVSA traffic inspectors have also started issuing fines to deal with drivers who are not resting properly.

“Truck, bus and tour bus drivers must take a 45-hour rest break at least once every two weeks.”

According to the rules, heavy vehicle drivers must take a break of at least 45 minutes for every four and a half hours of driving.

Drivers are not allowed to work more than 56 hours a week for a week or 90 hours for 14 days.

Authorities have warned that crashes involving tired truck drivers “could be devastating”.

According to statistics, approximately 40 percent of sleep-related accidents occur from commercial vehicles.

Driving while tired may be responsible for a fifth of all accidents on the road, according to data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Meanwhile, fatigued road users may contribute to around a quarter of serious and fatal crashes.

DVSA’s former Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn has previously said their priority is to “protect” road users from “unsafe drivers”.

He added: “These tougher penalties will help us take stronger action against drivers or operators who breach driver working hours rules and will help make our roads safer.

“There is no excuse for driving when you are tired. The consequences of falling asleep at the wheel of a 40-ton truck can be devastating for families and communities. “Any driver who breaches these rules puts other road users at risk and could face losing their license and livelihood.”