Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers: Complete 2026 Guide
Hours of Service (HOS) rules are federal regulations that limit how long commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers can operate before they must rest. These rules are enforced by the FMCSA and are designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Understanding and complying with HOS rules is critical — violations can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and CSA points that affect your safety score.
Table of Contents
1. 11-Hour Driving Limit
You may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
This is the core HOS rule. After you have taken at least 10 consecutive hours off duty (including sleeper berth time), your 11-hour driving clock starts when you first begin driving. Once you have driven for 11 cumulative hours, you must stop driving until you have another 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Important: The 11 hours do not have to be consecutive. You can drive 5 hours, take a 2-hour break (on-duty not driving), then drive another 6 hours. The key is total driving time cannot exceed 11 hours before your next 10-hour off-duty period.
2. 14-Hour Driving Window
You may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
This is often the more restrictive rule. Your 14-hour window starts the moment you perform any on-duty activity (pre-trip inspection, fueling, loading, etc.) after your 10-hour off-duty period. Once 14 hours have elapsed from that point — regardless of breaks taken — you cannot drive again until your next 10-hour off-duty period.
Key distinction: The 14-hour clock does not pause. If you come on duty at 6:00 AM, your window closes at 8:00 PM regardless of how many breaks you take during the day. The only way to “extend” it is through the sleeper berth provision.
3. 30-Minute Break Requirement
You must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time.
After driving for 8 cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption, you must take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes. This break can be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 minutes or more — off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving (such as fueling or eating at a truck stop).
Updated rule (2020): The break can now be satisfied by on-duty not driving time (previously had to be off-duty or sleeper berth). This means time spent fueling, at a shipper/receiver, or doing paperwork counts toward your break.
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Get Started Free — No Card Required4. 60/70-Hour Limit
You may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.
This rule limits your total on-duty time over a multi-day period:
- 60 hours in 7 days: For carriers that do NOT operate every day of the week.
- 70 hours in 8 days: For carriers that operate every day of the week. Most trucking companies use this schedule.
This is a rolling calculation. Every day at midnight, the hours from 7 (or 8) days ago “fall off” your available hours. TRU LOAD automatically tracks your rolling 70-hour clock so you always know how many hours you have available.
5. Sleeper Berth Provision
The sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two periods, provided:
- One period is at least 7 consecutive hours spent in the sleeper berth.
- The other period is at least 2 consecutive hours, either off duty, in the sleeper berth, or a combination.
- The two periods must total at least 10 hours.
- Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window when paired.
This is the most complex HOS provision and the one most commonly misunderstood. The 2020 rule changes made the split sleeper berth more flexible, allowing the shorter period to be spent off duty (not just in the sleeper berth).
6. 34-Hour Restart
You can restart your 60/70-hour clock by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
The 34-hour restart is a way to “reset” your weekly hours. After 34 consecutive hours off duty, your 60/70-hour clock resets to zero. There are currently no restrictions on when these 34 hours must occur (the 2013 rule requiring two overnight periods was suspended). Most drivers use the 34-hour restart over a weekend.
7. Exemptions
Several categories of drivers have modified or exempt HOS requirements:
Short-Haul Exemption
Drivers operating within 150 air-miles of their reporting location and returning within 14 hours do not need to keep a log (RODS). They must still follow the 11-hour and 14-hour limits.
Agricultural Exemption
During planting and harvest seasons, drivers transporting agricultural commodities within 150 air-miles are exempt from certain HOS rules.
Adverse Driving Conditions
If you encounter unexpected adverse conditions (weather, road closure), you may extend your 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour window by up to 2 hours.
Oilfield Exemption
Drivers servicing oil and gas wells can use a 24-hour restart instead of 10 hours and have special waiting time provisions.
Personal Conveyance
Moving the CMV for personal reasons (to a rest area, food, etc.) while off duty does not count as on-duty driving time.
8. ELD Requirements
The ELD mandate requires most CMV drivers to use an Electronic Logging Device to record HOS. ELDs automatically connect to the vehicle's engine to record driving time, making falsification of logs much more difficult.
Who needs an ELD: Almost all CMV drivers who are required to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS). The main exemptions are drivers operating under the short-haul exemption, pre-2000 model year vehicles, and driveaway-towaway operations.
ELDs cost $500-$1,500 for hardware plus $20-$50/month for service. The device must be registered with FMCSA and appear on the approved device list. TRU LOAD integrates with major ELD providers for seamless HOS tracking.
9. Penalties for HOS Violations
| Violation | Fine | CSA Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Driving beyond 11-hour limit | $1,000 - $16,000 | 7 points (severity) |
| Driving beyond 14-hour window | $1,000 - $16,000 | 7 points |
| Missing 30-minute break | $1,000 - $16,000 | 5 points |
| Exceeding 60/70-hour limit | $1,000 - $16,000 | 7 points |
| No ELD or non-functioning ELD | $1,000 - $16,000 | 5 points |
| Falsified logs | Up to $16,000+ | 10 points (critical) |
| Out-of-service order | N/A | Cannot drive until compliant |
CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) points accumulate and can affect your ability to get insurance, get hired, and keep your authority. Keep your HOS record clean.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does off-duty time pause my 14-hour clock?+
No. The 14-hour window runs continuously from the moment you go on duty. Breaks, meals, and off-duty time during the day do not pause it. The only way to pause or extend it is through the sleeper berth split provision.
What counts as driving time vs on-duty not driving?+
Driving time is any time the vehicle is in motion. On-duty not driving includes pre-trip inspections, fueling, loading/unloading, paperwork, and any other work-related activity. Both count against your 70-hour limit, but only driving time counts against your 11-hour limit.
Can I use personal conveyance to drive to a truck stop?+
Yes. Personal conveyance allows you to move your CMV off duty for personal reasons — driving to a safe parking spot, restaurant, or fuel stop. It must be personal transportation, not advancing toward your load delivery. There is no mileage limit, but it must be reasonable.
What happens if I run out of hours at a shipper?+
If you run out of hours while at a shipper or receiver, you must stop driving. You can remain on-duty not driving (waiting for loading) but cannot drive the vehicle. Use this time to log detention and bill the shipper. TRU LOAD auto-detects this situation.
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