DOT Hours of Service Rules:
Complete Compliance Guide for Commercial Drivers
Master federal hours of service regulations to protect your driving career, avoid costly violations, and ensure road safety compliance.
Prevent Costly Violations and Keep Your Commercial Driving Career on Track
Every year, truck drivers face potential fines of over $16,000 for hours-of-service violations. Whether you’re an owner-operator or drive for a fleet, understanding DOT hours of service regulations isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your livelihood, ensuring driver safety, and maintaining the clean driving record that keeps you employed in the trucking industry.
Common HOS Violations and How to Avoid Them
Exceeding 11-Hour Driving Limit
Prevention: Plan routes with buffer time for delays, traffic, and mandatory breaks. Always stop driving before reaching your limit.
Working Beyond 14-Hour Duty Window
Prevention: Use backwards planning from delivery appointments. Account for loading, unloading, and inspection time in your duty status calculations.
Skipping Mandatory 30-Minute Breaks
Prevention: Set ELD reminders at 7.5 hours of driving time. Take breaks proactively rather than waiting until the last minute.
Incorrect Electronic Logging Device Entries
Prevention: Complete daily training on proper device usage. Verify all duty status changes are accurately recorded in real-time.
Misusing Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
Prevention: Understand specific criteria for adverse conditions. Document weather, traffic incidents, or emergency situations that qualified for the extension.
Form and Manner Violations
This pertains to incorrectly filled-out log sheets or electronic logging device (ELD) records.
False Logs
This is when drivers provide inaccurate information in their logbook or ELD, often to hide HOS violations.
Driving After Being on Duty for 60/70 Hours in 7/8 Consecutive Days
Similar to the 70-hour/8-day limit but applies to a 60-hour/7-day limit for companies that don’t operate every day of the week.
Failing to Retain the Previous 7 Days of Logs
Drivers are required to have in their possession the record of duty status for the current day and the past 7 days.
Not Having an ELD When Required
Most trucks manufactured after the year 2000 are required to have an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) unless they meet certain exemptions.
Why DOT Hours of Service Rules Are Critical for Your Operation
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration designed these service regulations to prevent driver fatigue and save lives. With proper knowledge of hours-of-service regulations, commercial drivers can operate confidently, knowing they’re meeting federal safety requirements while maximizing their earning potential.
Driver Safety Protection
Reduce your risk of fatigue-related accidents that cause over 8,000 incidents annually
Financial Security
Avoid fines ranging from $1,000 to $16,000 for HOS violations and protect your income
Career Longevity
Maintain clean CSA scores that keep you employable and avoid increased DOT inspections
Lower Operating Costs
Reduce insurance premiums and liability exposure through documented HOS compliance
Better Work-Life Balance
Mandatory rest periods and driving limits ensure enough off-duty time for recovery
How DOT Hours of Service Rules Work
Understanding the HOS rules starts with recognizing when they apply to your operation. Follow these essential steps:
Determine CMV Classification
Identify if you’re operating a commercial motor vehicle over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, transporting hazardous materials requiring placards, or driving passenger-carrying vehicles designed for 9+ passengers.
Track Your 11-Hour Driving Limit
After 10 consecutive hours off duty, you can drive for a maximum of 11 hours. This driving time limit is absolute; once reached, you must stop driving regardless of delivery pressures.
Monitor Your 14-Hour Duty Window
From the moment you start any work-related activity, you have 14 consecutive hours before mandatory rest periods begin. Rest breaks don’t extend this driving window.
Take a Required 30-Minute Break
After 8 hours of driving time, federal regulations mandate a minimum 30-minute break before continuing. This can be off-duty time, sleeper berth time, or on-duty time (not driving).
Manage Weekly Limits
Track your cumulative on-duty time: 60 hours in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. Use the 34-hour restart to reset these limits when needed.
What Makes DOT Hours of Service Different from Other Safety Regulations
Modern HOS regulations incorporate technology and flexibility that set them apart from traditional trucking industry rules:
Electronic Logging Device Mandate
Automatic tracking since December 2017 eliminates paper logs and ensures accurate driver’s record keeping
Short Haul Exception
Qualifying drivers can operate within 150 air-miles without ELD requirements under specific conditions
State-Specific Variations
Some state regulations provide additional requirements beyond Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules
Sleeper Berth Provisions
Split rest periods allow 8+2 or 7+3 hour combinations for greater scheduling flexibility
Adverse Driving Conditions Extensions
Extra 2 hours of driving time when weather, traffic, or emergencies create unsafe stopping conditions
HOS Compliance Requirements by Vehicle Type
Know exactly when hours of service regulations apply to your specific situation:
Property-Carrying Vehicles
All commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR or gross combination weight rating operating in interstate commerce
Interstate vs. Intrastate Operations
Federal HOS regulations apply to interstate commerce; state-specific HOS rules may apply to intrastate operations
Passenger-Carrying Vehicles
Any vehicle designed to transport 9 or more passengers, including the driver, regardless of weight
Hazardous Materials Transport
Any vehicle transporting hazardous material in quantities requiring placards, regardless of vehicle size
Agricultural Exemptions – Limited seasonal exemptions for agricultural operations within 150 air-miles of the source during planting and harvesting seasons
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours can I drive before taking a break?
You must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time, and you cannot drive more than 11 hours total after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Do HOS regulations apply to all commercial drivers?
Hours of service rules apply to drivers of commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds, those transporting hazardous materials, or passenger-carrying drivers of vehicles designed for 9+ people.
What happens if I exceed my driving hours?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can assess fines up to $16,000, place you out of service, and the violation impacts your carrier’s CSA score. Serious violations may result in federal criminal penalties.
Can I use sleeper berth time to extend my driving window?
No, sleeper berth time doesn’t extend your 14-hour duty window, but it can be used as part of your required off-duty time and allows for split rest periods under specific conditions.
Get Started with HOS Compliance Today
Take immediate action to protect your drivers and ensure full compliance with federal safety regulations.