Long hours and tough hauls are the bread and butter of every trucker. But even trucking superheroes need to take off their cape every now and then. Or even have to, according to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
HOS rules regulate how many hours truckers can drive daily, ensuring they get enough rest between shifts to minimize the cases of driving under fatigue.
If you’re new to trucking or thinking about joining the ranks of our American heroes, learning about HOS regulations is a must. Join us as we take a deeper dive into the maximum daily hours for truckers.
| 🚛Quick Answer: How Long Can a Trucker Drive?Truckers can drive for up to 11 hours daily within a 14-hour window, during which they must take mandatory breaks. After that, they must rest for 10 consecutive hours before they can drive again. |
What Are the Hours of Service?
Hours of Service (HOS) refers to the maximum amount of time a trucker can be on duty. This includes both driving time and the number and length of rest periods.
The Federal Motor Carrier Service Administration (FMCSA) created hours of service to ensure drivers stay awake and alert on the road, preventing cases of them driving under fatigue.
HOS must be followed by all carriers and drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Violations can result in penalties, such as being placed out of service or receiving a fine. It might also negatively affect a trucker’s and carrier’s Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score. In extreme cases, one might even face civil penalties for violating HOS.
So yes, we’d say it’s better to stay vigilant about your driving hours, which leads us to this guide’s primary question…
How Many Hours Can Long-Haul Truckers Drive? Breaking Down the HOS Driving Limits
There are five main hours of service rules you must be aware of when driving. Let’s break them down:
14-Hour Window
The FMSCA HOS rules indicate that a driver can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty after the 10-hour mandatory break. This means that you have exactly 14 hours of driving time a day, during which you also must take 30-minute breaks (more on those in a minute).
11-Hour Driving Limit
As covered, you truckers have a 14-hour window of driving time. However, it doesn’t mean you can drive for those 14 hours. To ensure that truckers aren’t fatigued and stay sharp when on duty, HOS imposes an 11-hour driving limit. This means you can’t drive more than 11 hours during your 14-hour window.
30-Minute Driving Break
Drivers must take 30-minute breaks after every 8 hours of consecutive driving. You can spend this break taking up any non-driving activity for at least 30 minutes straight, whether in your sleeper berth, off-duty, or on-duty not driving.
10-Hour Break & Sleeper Berth Provision
After 14 hours on duty, a driver must take a 10-hour mandatory break. This break counts as 10 consecutive hours in a sleeper berth, off-duty time, or a combination of both, referred to as a sleeper berth provision (maximum of 2 hours off duty plus minimum of 7 consecutive hours in a sleeper berth).
60/70-Hour Duty Limit
As a driver, you may not drive after 60 hours on duty for 7 consecutive days or 70 hours after 8 consecutive days. If you meet such limits, you can only restart your next 7-8 days period after a minimum of 34 consecutive hours off-duty. You can also take these 34 hours off before you hit the 60/70-hour clock, resetting it.
Special HOS Exceptions
Although hours of service regulations are very strict, several exceptions allow a trucker to drive for a slightly different number of hours each day:
Adverse Driving Conditions
This rule adds a bit more flexibility to your daily driving limits. In short, if you encounter adverse driving conditions during your haul, such as heavy snow, fog, ice, etc., you are entitled to extend your 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour window by 2 hours to ensure you drive safely and find a place to park your truck.
Short-Haul Exception
The short-haul exception applies to truck drivers operating within a 150-mile radius who return to their starting point each day. These drivers are exempt from keeping detailed driving logs and the 30-minute break rule as long as their duty period doesn’t exceed 12 hours.
Ensuring Compliance with Maximum Daily Driving Hours
If you want to avoid penalties and fines, adhering to the HOS is a must. Here are a few tips on how to do it:
- Plan Your Route Ahead: Use route planning tools to map out your journey, considering traffic conditions, construction zones, and other potential delays to stay within legal driving hours.
- Take Regular Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to avoid fatigue and stay alert. Utilize rest areas and service stations to refresh and stay compliant with mandatory rest periods.
- Use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Install and regularly update ELDs to accurately track driving hours and ensure you don’t exceed the maximum daily limit.
- Stay Informed on Regulations: Keep up-to-date with federal and state regulations regarding maximum driving hours to avoid penalties and ensure safe driving practices.
- Book Parking in Advance: Use services like Truck Parking Club to find and book truck parking spots in advance, ensuring you have a place to rest and reset your hours without stress.
Final Thoughts
And that would be it. The key rules to understand and follow to ensure compliance with maximum daily driving hours as stated in the hours of service handbook.
Staying compliant with them is an absolute must to avoid any fines and penalties, so be sure to follow our tips. Remember to always plan your routes thoroughly and ensure you have a place to serve your breaks. Truck Parking Club is here to help you with that.
We connect truck drivers with pre-vetted private truck parking property owners, ensuring that you always find a place to park your rig, wherever in the states you are. Join our community today, browse available truck parking spaces, and book your spot in advance to ensure you comply with HOS rules.
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.
