Understanding Hours of Service Regulations
Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are federal rules that limit how long commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles. These rules are designed to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue.
11-Hour Driving Limit
You can drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
This is the maximum continuous driving window allowed. Once you've driven 11 hours, you must take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving again.
14-Hour On-Duty Window
You cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
Once you've accumulated 14 hours of on-duty time (including non-driving activities like loading, fueling, and paperwork), you must take a mandatory 10-hour off-duty break before resuming operations.
Important: This 14-hour clock doesn't stop for breaks or meals - it runs continuously from when you start your day.
30-Minute Break Requirement
After driving 8 cumulative hours, you must take a 30-minute break.
This break can be classified as:
- Off-duty time
- On-duty non-driving time
- Sleeper berth time
60/70-Hour Weekly Limits
Drivers cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle after:
- 60 hours on-duty in 7 consecutive days, OR
- 70 hours on-duty in 8 consecutive days
Careful multi-day route planning is essential to remain compliant with these cumulative limits.
34-Hour Restart
Drivers may reset their 60/70-hour clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty. This allows you to start fresh with a full weekly allocation.
Sleeper Berth Exception
Regulations allow splitting rest periods. For example:
- 8 hours in the sleeper berth PLUS
- 2 additional off-duty hours
- = Satisfies the 10-hour rest requirement
ELD Requirements
All commercial drivers must use FMCSA-certified Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track their hours. Popular ELD providers include:
- KeepTruckin
- Samsara
- Omnitracs
- PeopleNet
HOS Violation Penalties
Violations can result in:
- Fines up to $16,000 per violation
- Out-of-service orders
- CSA points affecting carrier scores
- Potential loss of operating authority
Benefits of HOS Compliance
- Prevents fatigue-related accidents
- Avoids costly penalties and fines
- Maximizes productive driving hours
- Maintains good CSA scores
- Protects your CDL and career