FMCSA hours of service (HOS) regulations govern how long commercial motor vehicle drivers may operate without rest. Property-carrying drivers face an 11-hour daily driving limit, which must occur within a 14-consecutive-hour on-duty window — the window does not pause for breaks. After every shift, a full 10-hour off-duty period is required before driving again. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours behind the wheel. Weekly limits cap at 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days; a 34-hour off-duty restart resets the weekly clock. Most drivers must use an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) to automatically record duty status instead of paper logs. Short-haul drivers operating within 100 air miles and returning to base daily are exempt from ELD requirements. Violations carry civil penalties and can place drivers and carriers out of service at roadside inspections.
A property-carrying CMV driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. Once 11 hours of driving time are logged, the driver must take a fresh 10-hour off-duty period before driving again.
The driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty — regardless of breaks taken during the day. Only a full 10-hour off-duty reset restarts this window. On-duty non-driving time does not pause the clock.
After 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption, the driver must take a break of 30 or more minutes. The break must be spent off duty or in the sleeper berth — on-duty non-driving time does not qualify.
A driver may not drive after accumulating 60 on-duty hours in any 7 consecutive days, or 70 on-duty hours in any 8 consecutive days. The carrier chooses which schedule applies. Hours must be tracked across all employers.
A driver who has exhausted their 60- or 70-hour limit may restart their weekly clock after 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. There is no longer a mandatory 1 a.m.–5 a.m. provision — the restart can occur at any time.
Drivers with a sleeper berth may split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two segments — neither period alone counts against the 14-hour driving window. Two valid split combinations are permitted:
One period of at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth paired with a second period of at least 3 hours in the sleeper berth or off duty. Neither period counts against the 14-hour window, and the clock pauses during both.
One period of at least 8 hours in the sleeper berth paired with a second period of at least 2 hours off duty or in the sleeper berth. The 8-hour segment must be taken first to use this combination.
Passenger-carrying vehicles include buses, motor coaches, and vans transporting 9 or more passengers for compensation, or 16 or more passengers regardless of compensation.
Drivers operating within a 100 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location, who return to that location each day, are exempt from ELD requirements and the 30-minute break rule. The 14-hour window may be extended to 16 hours twice per week.
Carriers operating under AOBRD (Automatic On-Board Recording Device) rules within 150 air miles may qualify for extended short-haul provisions. Check your carrier's DOT registration for applicable exemptions.
When a driver encounters unexpected adverse driving conditions (weather, accidents) discovered en route, up to 2 additional hours of driving are permitted beyond the normal 11-hour limit — maximum 13 hours driving and 16-hour window.
Drivers transporting agricultural commodities within 150 air miles of the source during planting and harvest seasons are exempt from HOS rules. State-level ag exemptions vary — confirm with your state DOT before dispatching.
Oilfield operations (excluding movement of people and HazMat) may use a 24-hour restart instead of 34 hours, provided the driver has at least 24 consecutive hours off duty and the operation meets FMCSA oilfield exception criteria.
Electronic Logging Devices are required for commercial motor vehicle drivers who must keep Records of Duty Status (RODS) under 49 CFR Part 395. ELDs automatically record driving time and synchronize with the vehicle's engine to prevent tampering.
ELD exceptions (paper logs or AOBRD permitted):
After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a property-carrying CMV driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours. The clock resets only after a full 10-hour off-duty period.
A driver cannot drive after the 14th consecutive hour from when they first came on duty. This window cannot be extended by taking breaks during the day — only a 10-hour off-duty reset restarts it.
Yes, property-carrying drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without an interruption of at least 30 minutes. The break must be spent off duty or in the sleeper berth — it cannot be an on-duty break.
Drivers who have used up their 60- or 70-hour limit can reset (restart) their weekly clock after 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. There is no longer a required 1 a.m.–5 a.m. provision.
Most commercial truck drivers operating in interstate commerce and required to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS) must use an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). Exceptions include short-haul drivers, driveaway/towaway operations, and vehicles manufactured before model year 2000.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: FMCSA — Hours of Service RegulationsLast reviewed: 2026-01