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Frequently Asked Questions
DOT Hours of Service

DOT HOURS OF SERVICE (HOS)

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1. What are the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations?

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  • HOS regulations are rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to govern the working hours of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to ensure safety and prevent fatigue-related accidents.

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2. Who must comply with HOS regulations?

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  • HOS regulations apply to drivers of CMVs operating in interstate commerce, including vehicles over 10,000 pounds, vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding, and vehicles designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation or more than 15 passengers (including the driver) not for compensation.

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3. What is the 14-hour rule?

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  • The 14-hour rule states that a driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. The driver cannot extend the 14-hour period with off-duty time breaks.

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4. What is the 11-hour rule?

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  • The 11-hour rule allows a driver to drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour period after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.

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5. What is the 30-minute break requirement?

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  • Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time without at least a 30-minute interruption. This break can be satisfied with any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes, such as off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving time.

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6. What is the 60/70-hour limit?

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  • The 60/70-hour limit restricts drivers to 60 hours of driving in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. This limit is based on a rolling 7 or 8-day period.

 

7. What is the sleeper berth provision?

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  • The sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two periods, provided one of the periods is at least 7 consecutive hours spent in the sleeper berth, and the other period is at least 2 consecutive hours off duty, in the sleeper berth, or any combination of the two.

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8. How do adverse driving conditions affect HOS rules?

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  • Adverse driving conditions can extend the 11-hour maximum driving time by up to 2 hours. This does not affect the 14-hour duty limit, which remains unchanged.

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9. What are personal conveyance regulations?

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  • Personal conveyance refers to the movement of a CMV for personal use while off duty. The CMV must not be used for commercial purposes during this time, and the driver must record it properly in the logbook.

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10. What are the record-keeping requirements for HOS?

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  • Drivers must maintain accurate records of duty status (RODS), commonly known as logbooks, which can be kept either on paper or an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). These records must be retained for at least 6 months by the carrier.

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11. Can a motor carrier use an Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD) to manage RODS?

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  • No. To be grandfathered, an AOBRD must have been installed in a CMV before December 18, 2017. If a grandfathered AOBRD later becomes inoperable, it must be replaced with an ELD.

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​12. What are the penalties for HOS violations?

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  • Penalties for HOS violations can include fines for drivers and carriers, potential out-of-service orders for drivers, and an impact on the carrier's safety rating.

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13. How can drivers and carriers stay compliant with HOS regulations?

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  • Compliance can be maintained by using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), staying informed about current HOS regulations, providing adequate training for drivers, and implementing robust scheduling and monitoring systems.

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14. Where can I purchase an ELD device and service plan?

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  • You can click on this link to be redirected to our partner, Motive.

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​15. Where can I find more information or assistance?

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