Need a little clarification or education on the Department of Transportation’s Hours of Service rules? At Truck Parking Club, we believe in keeping things as straightforward and simple as possible and have plowed through the rules and regulations in order to present them in an easy-to-grasp way.
Through this short guide, you will find the basic elements of the HOS rules, which apply to all commercial truck drivers. But first, for anyone unfamiliar, what are the HOS rules, exactly?
HOS Rules & Regulations
The DOT Hours of Service regulations are a key set of rules created to ensure the safety and general well-being of our nation’s truck drivers. The DOT hours of service rules set clear limits on how long drivers can drive their rigs.
In the most basic of terms, the HOS rules dictate how long drivers can be on duty, including driving time and regular rest periods. Given that truckers often drive long distances for extended periods, the risk of fatigue is pretty high. These regulations, therefore, serve as guidelines and intended safeguards, with the goal of improving road safety for both truckers and other road users.
Under the rules, scheduled breaks must be taken in addition to limiting the maximum number of driving hours in a workday and workweek. The presumption is that if drivers have adequate rest and recuperation time, the likelihood of accidents caused by tiredness will be reduced.
Effectiveness of HOS Regulations
Whether the rules work or not is open for debate, however. Many would argue that the rules have improved driver safety by reducing their exposure to fatigue. You could also argue, as many truckers do, that the HOS regulations make little difference to driver fatigue and have done nothing to address driver safety.
Opinions are quite mixed on whether the HOS rules are a help or a hindrance to truckers. The point of this article is to explain what the HOS rules entail, so we shall abstain from offering an opinion of our own and simply convey the rules in easy-to-follow terms.
Who Must Comply With HOS Rules?
The DOT Hours of Service rules apply to a certain category of vehicles and drivers, mostly those who are operating commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in the United States. Any driver operating a CMV in interstate commerce must adhere to HOS rules.
A CMV is defined by several criteria:
- Vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds (with or without a load),
- Vehicles transporting hazardous materials
- vehicles designed to transport a certain number of passengers
It is worth noting that these rules are not confined to traditional long-haul trucking only. For example, a driver operating a bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers, even if only for short distances, is also subject to HOS regulations.
Interstate Vs. Intrastate
Before we address the actual specific hours of service, we need first to consider one aspect of the regulations that make things slightly more complicated: the difference between interstate and intrastate. Both are regulated slightly differently, so let’s quickly look at that before moving on to the actual regulations.
Interstate Commerce refers to any transportation of goods or passengers that crosses state lines or involves more than one state, even if the actual driving doesn’t involve crossing a state border. If the goods are part of a journey that began or will end in another state, for example, it still falls under interstate commerce. In such cases, drivers must follow federal DOT HOS regulations at all times, which include (among other things) maintaining proper driving hours logs and taking mandated rest breaks as per the HOS rules.
Intrastate Commerce, on the other hand, refers to transportation within a single state’s borders, and while federal HOS rules generally apply, each state may have its own set of regulations, which can sometimes differ (and usually do) from federal rules. For example, certain states might have slightly different rules regarding the number of driving hours or rest breaks.
Key Elements of HOS Rules
Now that we have the basic framework out of the way let’s look at the specifics of the actual DOT hours of service rules that govern your time on the road as a truck driver.
1. 14-Hour Shift Limit:
This rule states that a driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following ten consecutive hours off duty. This 14-hour window includes driving time and any other work-related activities, while breaks or off-duty time do not extend these 14 hours. Basically, once the 14 hours are up, drivers must then take another ten consecutive hours off before driving again.
2. 11-Hour Driving Limit:
Within that 14-hour window, a driver is allowed a maximum of 11 total hours of driving time, meaning that drivers can be on duty for 14 hours in a day but can only spend 11 of those hours actually driving. The remaining time should be used for rest breaks or other non-driving tasks.
3. 60/70-Hour Limit:
These weekly driving limits are based on a rolling seven or eight-day period. If a carrier operates vehicles every day of the week, the driver is subject to a 70-hour limit over eight days. If the carrier does not operate every day, however, a 60-hour limit over seven days then applies. This limit includes all driving and on-duty time.
4. 34-Hour Restart:
This rule allows drivers to reset their weekly 60 or 70-hour clocks. By taking a consecutive 34-hour off-duty period, drivers can restart their weekly hour calculation, providing an opportunity for extended rest and recovery.
5. Rest Breaks:
Drivers must take a 30-minute break if they have driven for eight cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption. The break can be spent off duty, in the sleeper berth, or on duty not driving.
6. Split Sleeper Berth Rule:
This rule offers greater flexibility for drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty time into two periods. One period must be at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and the other must be at least two consecutive hours either off duty, in the sleeper berth, or a combination of both. Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window, however.
DOT Hours of Service Exemptions & Exceptions
While the DOT Hours of Service regulations are fairly comprehensive, they do allow for some exemptions and exceptions. Knowing them can help drivers better plan their routes and manage their driving time.
1. 30-Minute Break Exception
As noted, drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving. However, if you are a short-haul driver within a 150-mile radius and meet certain conditions, this break may not be mandatory.
2. 16-Hour Short-Haul Exception
This exception extends the 14-hour driving window to 16 hours for short-haul drivers, although to qualify, drivers must start and end their shifts at the same location for five consecutive days (and must not have used this exception in the previous six days).
3. 150 Air-Mile Exemption
Drivers operating within 150 air miles of their starting location and returning to the same location after each shift are exempt from maintaining a detailed log of their hours.
4. Adverse Driving Conditions Exemption
This allows for an extension of the driving window by up to two hours in unexpected adverse conditions. Drivers must not have been aware of these conditions before starting their trip, however (so make sure you are clear on stating that if need be).
Tips and Best Practices
Once you get into the habit of following the rules, they really aren’t too complicated. The biggest inconvenience probably relates to finding truck parking spaces to comply with the rules more than anything (more on that towards the end of this guide).
However, if you could use a little help with HOS compliance, you might find the following tips useful:
- Accurate Logging: Keep your electronic logging device (ELD) updated and correct any errors quickly.
- Trip Planning: Plan your routes, including rest breaks and fuel stops, to sync with HOS regulations (although we appreciate that isn’t always straightforward).
- Combining Stops: Efficiently manage the DOT hours of service rules by combining necessary stops with rest breaks, like meals and refueling, for example.
- Track Time Diligently: Try and monitor both driving and non-driving on-duty time to avoid any violations.
- Understand Off-Duty Criteria: Be extremely clear about what qualifies as off-duty time, especially during your waiting periods.
Anticipate the Unexpected: Plan for unforeseen delays and always strive to arrive early, wherever possible.
Bottom Line
Generally speaking, understanding the DOT Hours of Service rules is pretty straightforward once you know the essentials. Most drivers would say the biggest challenge lies in finding suitable truck parking to comply with these regulations.
Prior to the launch of the ELDs (electronic logging devices) in 2019, compliance was a little easier as drivers could be somewhat flexible in their reporting of hours. With the ELDs in place, all hours are now recorded precisely.
The problem is compounded by the current truck parking crisis. With only one parking space available for every ten trucks, drivers are pulling into truck stops and rest areas with only minutes to spare before their HOS forced break is due to commence, only to find no parking spaces available. It’s not always easy to comply with forced HOS breaks when finding a parking spot is so challenging.
There Is an Easier Way to Comply
Our Truck Parking Club offers huge relief from the strict HOS regulations, enabling drivers to book truck parking spaces ahead of time and avoid the desperate search for a spot at the eleventh hour.
The days of pulling into crowded truck stops, circling in hope, and silently pleading for divine intervention from the truck parking gods are over. With our increasingly popular service, you don’t need to rely on luck (or a higher power), you just need our Truck Parking Club app.
Our club not only aids in HOS compliance but also ensures a safer, more predictable journey. Join Truck Parking Club today for stress-free trip planning and keep your focus on driving and not on where to park!
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein.
