Truck driver hours of service regulations are federal safety rules that limit driving time and mandate rest periods for commercial motor vehicle operators to prevent driver fatigue and enhance road safety. These regulations apply to all drivers operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce and are designed to create a safer environment for everyone on the road.
Driver fatigue is a serious issue in the trucking industry, playing a role in approximately 13% of all commercial vehicle crashes. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established and enforces hours of service regulations. These rules ensure drivers get enough rest to safely operate their vehicles while maintaining efficiency in the transportation of goods.
Core Hours of Service Rules for Property-Carrying Drivers
If you’re a commercial truck driver transporting property in interstate commerce, these are the fundamental hours of service regulations you must follow:
11-Hour Driving Limit:
After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver may drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty period. This means once you start your workday, you have a 14-hour window to complete your 11 hours of driving time.
14-Hour On-Duty Limit:
A driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Off-duty time does not extend this 14-hour window. Once this period ends, you must take 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving again.
30-Minute Break Requirement:
Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time. This break can be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes (off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving).
60/70-Hour Limit:
Drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days (60/7 rule) or 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days (70/8 rule), depending on whether the carrier operates vehicles every day of the week.
Every driver must accurately track their duty status, categorizing time as driving, on-duty not driving, off-duty, or sleeper berth time. Most drivers are required to record their hours using an electronic logging device (ELD) that automatically tracks driving time based on vehicle movement.
Sleeper Berth Provisions and Flexibility Options
The sleeper berth provision offers drivers greater flexibility in managing their hours. Instead of taking 10 consecutive hours off duty, drivers can split their required rest time into two periods, provided one period is at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth.
Here’s how the split sleeper berth option works:
- Drivers can split their required 10 hours of off-duty time into two periods
- One period must be at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth
- The other period must be at least 2 hours long (off-duty or in sleeper berth)
- Together, these periods must total at least 10 hours
This flexibility helps drivers adapt to real-world conditions while still getting adequate rest. For example, a driver might take a 3-hour off-duty break during heavy traffic and then take 7 hours in the sleeper berth later, satisfying the requirement. Another important provision is the 34-hour restart. After reaching their 60 or 70-hour limit, drivers can reset their weekly hours by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Exemptions and Special Cases
The FMCSA provides several exemptions to the standard hours of service regulations to accommodate different operational needs:
Short-Haul Exception:
Drivers operating within a 150 air mile radius who return to their work reporting location within 14 hours may follow different record-keeping requirements. These short-haul drivers are exempt from using ELDs and taking the 30-minute break, though they still must comply with the 11-hour driving limit and 60/70-hour rules.
Adverse Driving Conditions:
When unexpected adverse driving conditions such as extreme weather or road closures occur, drivers may extend their driving limit by up to 2 hours. This exception recognizes that sometimes drivers need additional time to reach a safe destination when facing unexpected challenges.
Hazardous Materials:
Commercial truck drivers transporting hazardous material in quantities requiring placards must follow more stringent rules, even when operating intrastate. Safety regulations for these transports are critical due to the potential for serious incidents.
Passenger-Carrying Drivers:
Drivers of buses and other passenger-carrying vehicles follow different regulations, including a 10-hour driving limit after 8 consecutive hours off duty and a 15-hour on-duty limit.
These exemptions provide greater flexibility for specific situations while maintaining the primary goal of preventing driver fatigue and ensuring safety on our roads.
Compliance and Enforcement
Compliance with hours of service regulations is monitored through roadside inspections, electronic logging device reviews, and DOT audits. The FMCSA and state partners enforce these regulations to maintain safety on highways.
Common hours of service violations include:
- Exceeding the 11-hour driving limit
- Driving beyond the 14-hour duty period
- False reporting of duty status
- Missing required 30-minute breaks
- Violations of the 60/70-hour rule
Penalties for non-compliance can be severe, ranging from fines to being placed out of service. Additionally, violations impact a carrier’s CSA scores, which can affect insurance rates and business opportunities.
To maintain compliance, drivers should:
- Understand all applicable regulations
- Keep accurate records of duty status
- Ensure proper functioning of electronic logging devices
- Plan routes with adequate time for breaks and rest periods
- Stay updated on regulatory changes
Proper training is essential for compliance. Drivers should receive comprehensive education on hours of service regulations, including how to properly operate ELDs and understand their specific exemptions.
Finding Safe and Convenient Truck Parking with TRUX
One of the biggest challenges that truck drivers face when trying to comply with hours of service regulations is finding safe, accessible parking when they need to take their required breaks or rest periods. When the 14-hour clock or 11-hour driving limit is approaching, drivers need a secure place to stop.
The national shortage of truck parking creates a serious dilemma for drivers:
- Continue driving beyond hours of service limits to find parking (violating regulations)
- Park in unsafe or unauthorized locations (creating security risks)
- Stop earlier than necessary (reducing productivity)
This challenge is where TRUX Parking comes in. We created our service to make the lives of truckers easier by providing secure, convenient parking locations specifically designed for commercial vehicles.
TRUX Parking offers:
- Guaranteed parking spaces when you need them
- Secure, well-lit facilities to protect drivers and cargo
- Convenient locations near major freight corridors
- Easy reservation system that works with your hours of service planning
- Amenities that make off-duty time more comfortable
By following these regulations and utilizing services like TRUX Parking, drivers can maintain compliance while maximizing efficiency and safety. So, reserve your spot today! Join the growing community of professional drivers who put safety, convenience, and reliability first in their parking choices. We have locations in:
For more information, check out our FAQs page.