Hours of Service Rules Explained for Truck Drivers

Hours of service (HOS) rules limit how long truck drivers can drive and work, so they stay rested and safe. They are some of the most enforced rules in trucking, and log violations are a common reason for roadside citations.

This guide covers the federal rules for drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles. Passenger carriers follow different limits.

The rules at a glance

The 11-hour driving limit

After 10 consecutive hours off duty, you may drive up to 11 hours. Driving time is time you spend at the controls of the truck.

The 14-hour window

Once you come on duty, a 14-hour clock starts. You may not drive after the 14th hour, even if you have driving time left. Off-duty time such as meals or breaks generally does not stop the 14-hour clock. After the window closes you need another 10 hours off before you drive again.

The 30-minute break

You may not drive if 8 hours of driving have passed without a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes. The break can be off duty, in the sleeper berth, or on duty not driving (for example, fueling or waiting at a dock), or a mix of these.

The 60/70-hour limit

• If your carrier does not operate every day of the week, you may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days.
• If your carrier does operate every day, the limit is 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days.

These are rolling totals. Each day, the oldest day drops off.

The 34-hour restart

You can reset your 7- or 8-day clock by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. The restart is optional.

The sleeper berth split

Drivers with a sleeper berth can split their 10 hours off into two periods:

• One period of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and
• Another period of at least 2 consecutive hours, off duty or in the sleeper berth,
• adding up to at least 10 hours.

When you pair the periods correctly, neither one counts against your 14-hour window. Common splits are 7/3 and 8/2. Split sleeper calculations can be tricky, so check how your ELD shows them.

Adverse driving conditions

If you run into unexpected conditions such as snow, fog or a road closure that you did not know about when you started, you may extend the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour window by up to 2 hours.

Short-haul exception

Drivers who stay within 150 air miles of their normal work location, return there each day, and are released within 14 hours can use the short-haul exception. They do not need to keep a log (time records are used instead) and are not required to take the 30-minute break.

ELDs

Most drivers who must keep logs must use an electronic logging device (ELD). There are some exceptions, such as drivers who use paper logs for no more than 8 days in any 30-day period, and trucks with engines older than model year 2000. Make sure your ELD is on FMCSA's registered list, and keep paper log sheets and the ELD instruction card in the truck in case it malfunctions.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a lunch stop pauses the 14-hour clock. It does not.
• Forgetting the 30-minute break before the 8th hour of driving.
• Not editing logs correctly after a dock delay or personal conveyance trip.
• Driving past the 14th hour "just to get to the shipper."

Sources

• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.3, Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles
• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.1, Scope of rules (exceptions, sleeper berth, adverse conditions)
• FMCSA: Summary of Hours of Service Regulations