The Department of Transportation’s Hours of Service Regulations

The United States Department of Transportation is securing the highways with laws that support and uphold commercial driving restrictions.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) established hours of service (HOS) regulations as effective safety compliance measures to guarantee that drivers are well-rested, awake, and aware.

A business may improve driver safety, reduce risk, and avoid expensive fines by ensuring fleet-wide adherence to HOS laws. Electronic logging devices assist drivers cto concentrate on the road by automatically creating a digital record of their behavior in real-time.

Owners of trucking companies seeking guidance on how to abide by the HOS regulations set out by the US Department of Transportation should read this article.

The goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to maintain U.S. transportation networks’ effectiveness and safety in order to promote “economic productivity and international competitiveness.” Rules, restrictions, and compliance are necessary to maintain this degree of safety and effectiveness.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a branch of the DOT, sets limits on how many hours a week and how many hours a day truck driver may drive. The protection of truck drivers and other road users’ health and safety is its main objective.

Hours of service (HOS) restrictions are one of the FMCSA’s most fundamental safety requirements and also one of its most effective. Understanding when and how these regulations apply to transportation firms and the commercial truck drivers they employ is crucial since they may be difficult. Here is a look at the definition of HOS regulations, their purpose, and how to abide by them.

Note from the editor: Are you looking for the best GPS fleet-tracking solution for your company? To speak with one of our vendor partners about your requirements, please fill out the form below.

Why do HOS rules exist?

The purpose of HOS regulations is to increase truck drivers’ performance by assuring their alertness and rest. Additionally, these rules protect other motorists and long-distance truckers from possibly fatal crashes.

It is essential to keep drivers alert and prepared to move out if we want the roadways to remain safe. The safety of your drivers will rise and your company’s total risk will decrease when you make sure your fleet is in full compliance with all FMCSA HOS standards.

Did you realise? The finest GPS fleet tracking solutions assist your company in remaining in compliance with the law, cutting down on idle time, following HOS guidelines, and monitoring harsh braking and acceleration.

What are the DOT’s hours of service rules?

The maximum daily and weekly driving and working hours for commercial truck drivers are governed by the DOT hours of service regulations. These regulations set time limits on how long drivers may remain in the driver’s seat and require rest periods so that they are well-rested for the start of a new shift.

The DOT takes drive-time monitoring extremely seriously and imposes severe fines for any logistics company that violates HOS rules. All interstate drivers of commercial motor vehicles with a manufacturer-specified gross vehicle weight rating of more over 10,000 pounds are subject to HOS regulations. These regulations apply to drivers who transport passengers as well as property, with a few minor exceptions.

Rule of 14 and 15 hours

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are not permitted to drive for more than 14 hours straight after starting their shift. Before driving again, the driver must take a break from duties for ten hours straight. There is a 15-hour limit on the total number of hours a driver may drive when transporting passengers. The 14-hour/15-hour duty period cannot be extended by drivers using off-duty hours (e.g., breaks, meals, or fuel stops).

The FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 14-hour rule: You arrive at work at 6 a.m. after having 10 hours of uninterrupted rest. After 8 p.m., which is 14 hours later, you are not permitted to operate your truck. You may continue working after 8 p.m., but you must wait until you have taken a further 10 hours off, or the equivalent of at least 10 hours off work, before you may drive again.

Rule of 11 hours/10 hours

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are permitted to drive for up to 11 hours following 10 straight hours off within a 14-hour period. The maximum amount of time a truck driver may spend behind the wheel after eight hours off duty is 10 hours.

The FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 11-hour rule: You’ve had ten hours off straight. You arrive at work at 6 a.m., and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., you drive (seven hours of driving). After taking the necessary 30-minute rest, you may continue driving for a further four hours until 6:30 p.m. You must wait at least 10 hours without working before getting behind the wheel again. After 6:30 p.m., you may do other tasks, but you may not operate a commercial motor vehicle on a public road.

30-minute rest period

Commercial truck drivers must take a break that lasts 30 minutes straight; they are not permitted to track driving time beyond eight hours without an off-duty break. After eight hours without a break, they are permitted to engage in other non-driving activities.

60/70 hour time limits

Commercial truck drivers who don’t use their vehicles every day of the week are not permitted to operate them after 60 hours of work in a row. They are not permitted to drive if they work seven days a week and have worked 70 hours in total. In either scenario, the driver may begin the seven- or eight-day window after spending 34 or more hours off the job in a row.

34-hour resumption

After taking 34 straight hours off, commercial truck drivers may resume their 60-hour/70-hour driving limitations. After resetting the clock with the time off, they may start their new workweek. During the restart time, the driver may engage in on-duty activities other than driving, such as paperwork or loading and unloading cargo.

FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 70-hour cap and 34-hour restart requirement: If you adhere to the 70-hour/eight-day restriction and put in 14 hours each day for five straight days, you will have worked 70 hours. You won’t be permitted to drive once again till you have worked less than 70 hours in a row. However, if your employer permits you to make advantage of the 34-hour restart clause, you would be permitted to resume driving right away after taking 34 straight hours off. You would then start a fresh eight-day stretch with 70 hours at your disposal.

What is on-duty time?

To calculate a commercial truck driver’s HOS, on-duty time is utilised. It takes into account how many hours a commercial truck driver works or is available to work. The time a driver spends doing any of the following duties is considered on-duty time:

Driving

inspecting, maintaining, or preparing the vehicle

waiting for the courier to send me to work

assisting in the loading, unloading, supervision, or care of the vehicle

preparing shipping documentation

Maintaining the vehicle when it needs repairs

submitting to drug- and alcohol-testing

doing additional jobs for the carrier

working for pay for different employers

All of the time the driver spends operating a commercial vehicle is considered on-duty time, with the following exceptions:

When in a parked car and relaxing

In a sleeper berth while at rest

while occupying a property-carrying vehicle’s passenger seat for up to two hours (according to specific circumstances)

What are the exemptions to HOS rules?

For drivers of commercial trucks, there are various exemptions to the HOS regulations.

30-minute exemption for breaks

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are required to take a 30-minute break if it has been at least eight hours since their previous time off. The following short-haul truck drivers are exempt from this rule:

fall within of the 100-air-mile circle.

Travel within 150 air miles and operate a car without a commercial driver’s licence (CDL).

16-hour exemption for short distances

Commercial truck drivers that haul property may increase the 14-hour driving restriction to 16 hours once every seven days. They must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the exemption:

The carrier relieves the driver from their prior five duty tours when they return to their regular place of reporting for work.

The carrier relieves the driver from duty within 16 hours of their return to work after 10 consecutive hours off-duty once they have returned to the usual place of reporting for work.

Except when commencing a fresh seven or eight-day period when starting an off-duty time of at least 34 straight hours, the driver has not utilised the exemption in the previous six days.

Non-CDL short-haul exception

The 14-hour driving restriction may be increased to 16 hours on two days during a span of seven consecutive days or after the 34-hour restart period for truck drivers who travel small distances in vehicles that do not need a CDL. Additionally, these drivers are exempt from maintaining logbooks. The driver must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the exemption:

They drive a commercial truck for which no CDL is required.

They commute daily to and from their usual place of employment, which is 150 air miles away.

Adverse driving conditions

If they encounter hazardous driving circumstances, truck drivers may increase their daily driving restriction by two hours (from 11 to 13 for property-carrying drivers and from 10 to 12 for passenger-carrying drivers). The requirements for this exemption are as follows:

When the driver started their shift, they were unaware of the dangerous driving conditions.

Neither employing common sense nor trip-planning tools, they failed to foresee the poor driving conditions.

The 14-hour/15-hour restriction does not apply to any kind of driver under the hazardous driving situation exemption. If the driver cannot reach their home base within 14 hours, they must stop for a stopover within an 11-hour trip if it is safe to do so (or under the 16-hour exception). How Telematics Can Increase Driver Safety is a related article.

Emergency Conditions

Some or all HOS regulations may be temporarily lifted in emergency situations. For such exemptions, a federal or state institution must proclaim and recognize a state of emergency.

How do electronic logging devices help with HOS?

You may receive digital records of your drivers’ activities in real time by putting an electronic logging device (ELD) in each vehicle in your fleet. The ELD makes sure that the driver complies with the HOS regulations and automatically logs their driving time. ELDs may also save your fleet’s fuel expenses while offering a transparent audit trail for compliance without the need for additional paperwork. All nonexempt commercial truck drivers must adhere to the ELD rule as of December 18, 2017. This entails fitting their car with an electronic logging device that has been registered with the FMCSA. Commercial truck drivers would record their driving time in paper logbooks prior to the rule, possibly diverting their attention from the road.

ELDs are a common feature of telematics systems to guarantee compliance. Using driver scorecards to hold drivers responsible for following best practises may help increase compliance and safety across whole fleets. [View a list of telematics’ advantages.]

Penalties for violating HOS rules

When HOS regulations are broken, the driver and the trucking firm both face fast and harsh penalties. It is completely permissible for law enforcement officers to shut down a truck until the driver has the necessary rest if they discover that drivers are working longer hours than they should be.

Even state and municipal penalties might be assessed by local authorities against a motorist. Whatever the transgression, the real problems start as soon as law enforcement becomes involved and confirms the violations.

Fines for noncompliance may range from $1,100 to $16,000 per infraction, according to Truckinginfo. You may be subject to further sanctions based on the frequency and severity of the offences. The more often you break HOS standards, the worse your driver’s compliance, safety, and accountability score will be. On the other hand, an employer that knowingly supports or promotes infractions may be subject to harsh federal criminal penalties.

Although adhering to HOS rules might get a bit laborious, your firm can greatly benefit from them. You can enhance processes and maintain delivery schedules by enforcing fundamental rules to keep your drivers safe on the road. If you keep a thorough record of your employees’ actions, you’ll be ready for any scrutiny should you later be subject to regulatory or company audits.

United States Department of Transportation is securing the highways with laws that support and uphold commercial driving restrictions.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) established hours of service (HOS) regulations as effective safety compliance measures to guarantee that drivers are well-rested, awake, and aware.

An business may improve driver safety, reduce risk, and avoid expensive fines by ensuring fleet-wide adherence to HOS laws.

Electronic logging devices assist drivers concentrate on the road by automatically creating a digital record of their behaviour in real time.

Owners of trucking companies seeking guidance on how to abide with the HOS regulations set out by the US Department of Transportation should read this article.

The goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to maintain U.S. transportation networks’ effectiveness and safety in order to promote “economic productivity and international competitiveness.” Rules, restrictions, and compliance are necessary to maintain this degree of safety and effectiveness.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a branch of the DOT, sets limits on how many hours a week and how many hours a day truck drivers may drive. The protection of truck drivers’ and other road users’ health and safety is its main objective.

Hours of service (HOS) restrictions are one of the FMCSA’s most fundamental safety requirements and also one of its most effective. Understanding when and how these regulations apply to transportation firms and the commercial truck drivers they employ is crucial since they may be difficult. Here is a look at the definition of HOS regulations, their purpose, and how to abide by them.

Note from the editor: Are you looking for the best GPS fleet-tracking solution for your company? To speak with one of our vendor partners about your requirements, please fill out the form below.

Why do HOS rules exist?

The purpose of HOS regulations is to increase truck drivers’ performance by assuring their alertness and rest. Additionally, these rules protect other motorists and long-distance truckers from possibly fatal crashes.

It is essential to keep drivers alert and prepared to move out if we want the roadways to remain safe. The safety of your drivers will rise and your company’s total risk will decrease when you make sure your fleet is in full compliance with all FMCSA HOS standards.

Did you realise? The finest GPS fleet tracking solutions assist your company in remaining in compliance with the law, cutting down on idle time, following HOS guidelines, and monitoring harsh braking and acceleration.

What are the DOT’s hours of service rules?

The maximum daily and weekly driving and working hours for commercial truck drivers are governed by the DOT hours of service regulations. These regulations set time limits on how long drivers may remain in the driver’s seat and require rest periods so that they are well-rested for the start of a new shift.

The DOT takes drive-time monitoring extremely seriously and imposes severe fines for any logistics company that violates HOS rules. All interstate drivers of commercial motor vehicles with a manufacturer-specified gross vehicle weight rating of more over 10,000 pounds are subject to HOS regulations. These regulations apply to drivers who transport passengers as well as property, with a few minor exceptions.

Rule of 14 and 15 hours

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are not permitted to drive for more than 14 hours straight after starting their shift. Before driving again, the driver must take a break from duties for ten hours straight. There is a 15-hour limit on the total number of hours a driver may drive when transporting passengers. The 14-hour/15-hour duty period cannot be extended by drivers using off-duty hours (e.g., breaks, meals, or fuel stops).

The FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 14-hour rule: You arrive at work at 6 a.m. after having 10 hours of uninterrupted rest. After 8 p.m., which is 14 hours later, you are not permitted to operate your truck. You may continue working after 8 p.m., but you must wait until you have taken a further 10 hours off, or the equivalent of at least 10 hours off work, before you may drive again.

Rule of 11 hours/10 hours

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are permitted to drive for up to 11 hours following 10 straight hours off within a 14-hour period. The maximum amount of time a truck driver may spend behind the wheel after eight hours off duty is 10 hours.

The FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 11-hour rule: You’ve had ten hours off straight. You arrive at work at 6 a.m., and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., you drive (seven hours of driving). After taking the necessary 30-minute rest, you may continue driving for a further four hours until 6:30 p.m. You must wait at least 10 hours without working before getting behind the wheel again. After 6:30 p.m., you may do other tasks, but you may not operate a commercial motor vehicle on a public road.

30-minute rest period

Commercial truck drivers must take a break that lasts 30 minutes straight; they are not permitted to track driving time beyond eight hours without an off-duty break. After eight hours without a break, they are permitted to engage in other non-driving activities.

60/70 hour time limits

Commercial truck drivers who don’t use their vehicles every day of the week are not permitted to operate them after 60 hours of work in a row. They are not permitted to drive if they work seven days a week and have worked 70 hours in total. In either scenario, the driver may begin the seven- or eight-day window after spending 34 or more hours off the job in a row.

34-hour resumption

After taking 34 straight hours off, commercial truck drivers may resume their 60-hour/70-hour driving limitations. After resetting the clock with the time off, they may start their new workweek. During the restart time, the driver may engage in on-duty activities other than driving, such as paperwork or loading and unloading cargo.

FMCSA offers the following illustration of the 70-hour cap and 34-hour restart requirement: If you adhere to the 70-hour/eight-day restriction and put in 14 hours each day for five straight days, you will have worked 70 hours. You won’t be permitted to drive once again till you have worked less than 70 hours in a row. However, if your employer permits you to make advantage of the 34-hour restart clause, you would be permitted to resume driving right away after taking 34 straight hours off. You would then start a fresh eight-day stretch with 70 hours at your disposal.

What is on-duty time?

To calculate a commercial truck driver’s HOS, on-duty time is utilised. It takes into account how many hours a commercial truck driver works or is available to work. The time a driver spends doing any of the following duties is considered on-duty time:

Driving

inspecting, maintaining, or preparing the vehicle

waiting for the courier to send me to work

assisting in the loading, unloading, supervision, or care of the vehicle

preparing shipping documentation

Maintaining the vehicle when it needs repairs

submitting to drug- and alcohol-testing

doing additional jobs for the carrier

working for pay for different employers

All of the time the driver spends operating a commercial vehicle is considered on-duty time, with the following exceptions:

When in a parked car and relaxing

In a sleeper berth while at rest

while occupying a property-carrying vehicle’s passenger seat for up to two hours (according to specific circumstances)

What are the exemptions to HOS rules?

For drivers of commercial trucks, there are various exemptions to the HOS regulations.

30-minute exemption for breaks

Commercial truck drivers who transport property are required to take a 30-minute break if it has been at least eight hours since their previous time off. The following short-haul truck drivers are exempt from this rule:

fall within of the 100-air-mile circle.

Travel within 150 air miles and operate a car without a commercial driver’s licence (CDL).

16-hour exemption for short distances

Commercial truck drivers that haul property may increase the 14-hour driving restriction to 16 hours once every seven days. They must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the exemption:

The carrier relieves the driver from their prior five duty tours when they return to their regular place of reporting for work.

The carrier relieves the driver from duty within 16 hours of their return to work after 10 consecutive hours off-duty once they have returned to the usual place of reporting for work.

Except when commencing a fresh seven or eight-day period when starting an off-duty time of at least 34 straight hours, the driver has not utilised the exemption in the previous six days.

Non-CDL short-haul exception

The 14-hour driving restriction may be increased to 16 hours on two days during a span of seven consecutive days or after the 34-hour restart period for truck drivers who travel small distances in vehicles that do not need a CDL. Additionally, these drivers are exempt from maintaining logbooks. The driver must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for the exemption:

They drive a commercial truck for which no CDL is required.

They commute daily to and from their usual place of employment, which is 150 air miles away.

Adverse driving conditions

If they encounter hazardous driving circumstances, truck drivers may increase their daily driving restriction by two hours (from 11 to 13 for property-carrying drivers and from 10 to 12 for passenger-carrying drivers). The requirements for this exemption are as follows:

When the driver started their shift, they were unaware of the dangerous driving conditions.

Neither employing common sense nor trip-planning tools, they failed to foresee the poor driving conditions.

The 14-hour/15-hour restriction does not apply to any kind of driver under the hazardous driving situation exemption. If the driver cannot reach their home base within 14 hours, they must stop for a stopover within an 11-hour trip if it is safe to do so (or under the 16-hour exception). How Telematics Can Increase Driver Safety is a related article.

Emergency Conditions

Some or all HOS regulations may be temporarily lifted in emergency situations. For such exemptions, a federal or state institution must proclaim and recognize a state of emergency.

How do electronic logging devices help with HOS?

You may receive digital records of your drivers’ activities in real time by putting an electronic logging device (ELD) in each vehicle in your fleet. The ELD makes sure that the driver complies with the HOS regulations and automatically logs their driving time. ELDs may also save your fleet’s fuel expenses while offering a transparent audit trail for compliance without the need for additional paperwork. All nonexempt commercial truck drivers must adhere to the ELD rule as of December 18, 2017. This entails fitting their car with an electronic logging device that has been registered with the FMCSA. Commercial truck drivers would record their driving time in paper logbooks prior to the rule, possibly diverting their attention from the road.

ELDs are a common feature of telematics systems to guarantee compliance. Using driver scorecards to hold drivers responsible for following best practises may help increase compliance and safety across whole fleets. [View a list of telematics’ advantages.]

Penalties for violating HOS rules

When HOS regulations are broken, the driver and the trucking firm both face fast and harsh penalties. It is completely permissible for law enforcement officers to shut down a truck until the driver has the necessary rest if they discover that drivers are working longer hours than they should be.

Even state and municipal penalties might be assessed by local authorities against a motorist. Whatever the transgression, the real problems start as soon as law enforcement becomes involved and confirms the violations.

Fines for noncompliance may range from $1,100 to $16,000 per infraction, according to Truckinginfo. You may be subject to further sanctions based on the frequency and severity of the offences. The more often you break HOS standards, the worse your driver’s compliance, safety, and accountability score will be. On the other hand, an employer that knowingly supports or promotes infractions may be subject to harsh federal criminal penalties.

Although adhering to HOS rules might get a bit laborious, your firm can greatly benefit from them. You can enhance processes and maintain delivery schedules by enforcing fundamental rules to keep your drivers safe on the road. If you keep a thorough record of your employees’ actions, you’ll be ready for any scrutiny should you later be subject to regulatory or company audits.