Hours-of-Service Regulations: Here’s What You Need to Know

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees safety regulations for various aspects of fleet operations. The goal is to promote safety by reducing injuries and crashes involving large vehicles. This is accomplished partly through limitations on service hours. By limiting the amount of time a driver or semi mechanic can remain on shift, the FMCSA hopes to promote proper rest and alertness to minimize accidents.

FMCSA regulations on these matters include very specific parameters for limits, breaks and conditions that must be followed for fleet operations. The following summary provides an overview of what you should know about these regulations.

Property-carrying drivers

Here’s a closer look at the requirements for drivers carrying property:

• 11-hour driving limit: This limit stipulates that property-carrying drivers may drive no more than 11 hours and must have 10 consecutive hours off duty prior to driving.
• 14-hour driving limit: This regulation stipulates that drivers may not drive more than 14 consecutive hours after coming on shift. Additionally, this must follow 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time. Note: Additional off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour limit.
• 30-minute driving break: This regulation requires drivers who have driven for eight cumulative hours without a minimum 30-minute interruption to take a 30-minute break. This break may be any combination of off-duty, on-duty but not driving or sleeper berth time.
• 60/70-hour limit: According to this regulation, divers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty during seven/eight consecutive days. The consecutive-day period may restart after the driver has had at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.
• Sleeper berth provision: This provision states that drivers can split the required 10-hour off-duty period. However, the split must include at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper berth. Additionally, all sleeper berth split times must add up to at least the 10-hour requirement.
• Adverse driving conditions: This regulation allows for extension of the 11-hour and 14-hour driving limits. If drivers encounter adverse driving conditions, these limits can be extended by up to two hours.
• Short-haul exception: This stipulation is for drivers who complete short hauls. If a driver operates within a 150-mile radius and does not exceed the 14-hour maximum duty period, the driver is exempt from the requirement of 395.8 and §395.11.

Passenger-carrying drivers

The FMCSA has put similar regulations in place for passenger-carrying drivers. However, the time periods are slightly different.

• 10-hour driving limit: This limit stipulates that passenger-carrying drivers may drive no more than 10 hours and must have eight consecutive hours off duty prior to driving.
• 15-hour driving limit: This regulation stipulates that drivers may not drive more than 15 consecutive hours after coming on shift. Additionally, this must follow eight consecutive hours of off-duty time. Note: Additional off-duty time does not extend the 15-hour limit.

Learn more

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Categorised in: Semi Truck Maintenance

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