Hours of Service

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations governing hours of service (HOS) for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in the United States. Here are some key bullet points summarizing FMCSA's rules and regulations regarding HOS:

  1. Basic HOS Limits:

    • Drivers can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

    • A driver may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

  2. Rest Breaks:

    • A driver may drive only if eight hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes.

    • This break must be taken before reaching eight cumulative hours of driving time.

  3. Daily Driving Limit:

    • The maximum daily driving limit is 11 hours within a 14-hour window after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

  4. Weekly Driving Limit:

    • Drivers cannot drive after being on duty for 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days (or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if the motor carrier operates trucks every day of the week).

  5. Sleeper Berth Provision:

    • Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two.

    • The two hours spent in the sleeper berth can be split into two separate periods, provided neither is less than 30 minutes.

  6. Exemptions and Exceptions:

    • Short-haul operations (drivers that operate within a 150-air-mile radius and are exempt from logging their hours) have different HOS regulations.

    • Some industries and activities have specific exemptions or modifications to HOS rules, such as certain agricultural operations.

  7. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs):

    • Most CMV drivers must use electronic logging devices to record their HOS, replacing paper logbooks.

    • ELDs automatically record driving time and monitor compliance with HOS regulations.

  8. Enforcement and Penalties:

    • FMCSA and law enforcement agencies monitor compliance with HOS regulations through roadside inspections and electronic logs.

    • Violations of HOS rules can result in fines, citations, and out-of-service orders for drivers and carriers.

It's crucial for drivers and carriers to understand and adhere to these HOS regulations to promote safety on the roads and prevent driver fatigue-related accidents.