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Log Books for Bus and Coach Drivers

Bus and coach drivers fall under the same fatigue law as truck drivers, but they have their own Standard Hours table. Here's how the log book works for passenger fleets.
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Which Bus Drivers Keep a Work Diary

Under the HVNL, a fatigue-regulated bus is one over 4.5 tonnes GVM built to carry more than 12 adults including the driver. Its driver follows the national fatigue rules and keeps a work diary in the same circumstances as a truck driver.

That means a diary for work 100km or more from base under Standard Hours, and at any distance under BFM, AFM, ACA-Fatigue or exemption hours. Route buses that stay close to the depot are usually covered by the operator's local area records.

The diary can be the written National Driver Work Diary or an NHVR approved EWD. Logmaster is approved and includes a Standard Bus plan.
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How Bus Standard Hours Work

The NHVR says a solo driver of a fatigue-regulated bus can work under either the truck Standard Hours or the bus Standard Hours, but not both.
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Short periods match the truck table

In any 5½ hours, a solo bus driver works no more than 5¼ hours and takes at least 15 continuous minutes' rest.
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The 8 and 11 hour windows

Up to 7½ hours' work in any 8 hours and 10 hours' work in any 11, with the rest taken in blocks of at least 15 continuous minutes.
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The 24 hour limit

No more than 12 hours' work in any 24, with at least 7 continuous hours of stationary rest.
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A 28 day view

The bus table looks out to 28 days: no more than 288 hours' work, with at least four rests of 24 continuous hours.
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A box on the sheet

Since 1 August 2026, ticking the Standard Bus box on a written daily sheet is optional.
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What Coach and Bus Operators Need to Get Right

Passenger operators juggle charters, school runs and long tours, which makes hours harder to keep track of.

The right table per driver

Decide which Standard Hours table each solo driver works under, because the two can't be mixed.

Charters that stretch

A day trip that runs past 100km from base turns a local day into a diary day.

Two‑up touring

Two-up drivers on long tours work under their own table, which Logmaster carries as Standard Two-up.

Fitness before the first pick‑up

Fitness declarations and pre-start checks are done in the app and reach the office straight away.

Records kept three years

Diary records are held for three years and are easy to export for an audit.

Unfit to Drive

Since 1 August 2026, drivers of vehicles over 4.5 tonnes must not drive while unfit for any reason, which covers most buses.

Electronic Work Diary vs Paper Logbook

A bus driver's work diary in its two legal forms.
Electronic Work Diary
Paper Logbook
One minute accuracy
Fifteen minute blocks
Automatic syncing
Manual entries
Easy to read and access
Handwriting varies
Real time operator visibility
No live oversight
Secure cloud storage
Can be lost or damaged
Faster audits and reporting
Time consuming
Either is legal on a bus. The electronic one applies the bus table for you.
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How It Works

Setting up bus and coach drivers in Logmaster takes a few steps.
Step 1

Check the vehicles

Confirm which buses are fatigue-regulated by GVM and seating.
Step 2

Choose the hours

Decide which Standard Hours table each solo driver works under, or which alternative hours apply under accreditation.
Step 3

Set up the account

Add drivers and vehicles to the Logmaster portal.
Step 4

Install on devices

Drivers use their phones, or you supply tablets with cab mounts.
Step 5

Select Standard Bus

Drivers on bus hours pick the Standard Bus plan, and two-up crews pick Standard Two-up.
Step 6

Monitor the depot

Schedulers see each driver's hours live before handing out the next charter.

Features at a Glance

1. Accurate one minute recording
2. Offline functionality for uninterrupted use
3. Live visibility for fleet managers
4. Fatigue reminders and breach alerts
5. Driver declarations and vehicle checks
6. Secure cloud storage
7. Multi company support for contractors
8. Fast export for audits and reporting
9. Fatigue rule sets including Standard Hours, BFM, AFM, WA plans and bus rules
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Logmaster app on a phone and tablet

Who It's Built For

Coach tour companies, charter operators and school bus contractors all run fatigue-regulated buses.
User Type
Benefit
Truck drivers
Easier logging and clear alerts
Transport operators
Real time visibility and compliance
Compliance managers
Reliable logs for inspections
Owner drivers
No paperwork and simple routines
Subcontractors
Easy switching between employers
Drivers and depot staff look at the same hours, which makes rostering simpler.

Why Passenger Operators Use Logmaster

Greyhound Australia is among the businesses that use Logmaster's NHVR approved EWD. The app carries Standard Bus and Standard Two-up plans, records to the minute and keeps working on country roads without coverage.
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Hear from Our Users

Ray A.

First day with Logmaster was to my surprise was user friendly. Josh was very thorough in taking me through all the steps in setting up the Logmaster app. I would recommend Logmaster to all drivers regardless of age. Never have to worry about making a mistake as it tells you if you are. Great customer service after hours support is second to none.

Mike H.

Have started using Logmaster after trying 3 other models. I actually enjoy using it. Very easy to use and follow and the help if you need it is top notch by the developer. Does everything by the minute and works when no service is available. My system is customised for me and fits well with my system (I’m WA). Cost is on par with two of the other ones looked at.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Put Your Bus Drivers on an EWD?

Book a demo and see how Logmaster runs the Standard Bus plan for solo drivers and two-up crews.

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