What does HOS mean?

HOS stands for "Hours of Service" and refers to regulations limiting how long a driver can be on the road before taking a break.

The FMCSA Hours of Service guidelines help reduce the risk of accidents by ensuring truck drivers get enough rest. These guidelines promote safety on the road and efficiency in their work.

Drivers and fleet managers must understand and follow the DOT Hours of Service rules. Adhering to FMCSA Hours of Service regulations ensures safety on the road and avoids costly violations.

Key components of DOT Hours of Service rules

• Daily driving limits: Drivers can drive for up to 11 hours in a 14-hour shift, but they must take a rest period afterward.
• Rest periods: Drivers need to take a break after a certain amount of driving. For example, after 8 hours of driving, they must take a 30-minute break.
• Weekly driving hours: Drivers can drive a maximum of 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.

Why are Hours of Service necessary for truck drivers?

HOS regulations ensure truck drivers get enough rest to perform their duties safely. By following the FMCSA Hours of Service guidelines, HOS for truck drivers reduces the risk of fatigue and accidents on the road. HOS trucking helps drivers stay well-rested, lowering the chances of drowsiness while driving.

How to stay compliant with DOT Hours of Service regulations

• Track hours: Use electronic logging devices or other ELD tracking tools to monitor driving hours.
• Plan rest breaks: Drivers should plan their routes to allow time for required rest breaks.
• Know the rules: Understanding HOS rules helps drivers avoid violations and stay compliant.
• Perform daily inspections: Keeping vehicles in good condition is crucial for safety and compliance.

Hours of Service regulations for drivers

The FMCSA’s hours-of-service (HOS) rules help truck drivers get the rest they need to drive safely. Here’s a breakdown of the key regulations for different types of drivers:

Property-carrying drivers	Passenger-carrying drivers
11-hour limit Drivers can drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.	10-hour limit Drivers can drive up to 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
14-hour limit They cannot drive after being on duty for 14 consecutive hours, even with breaks.	15-hour limit They cannot drive after being on duty for 15 consecutive hours.
30-minute break Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
60/70-hour limit Drivers must limit working to 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.	60/70-hour limit The weekly limit is the same for property-carrying drivers (60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days).
Sleeper berth provision Drivers can divide their off-duty time into two periods. One period must include 7 hours in the sleeper berth for at least 10 hours.	Sleeper berth provision Passenger drivers must spend a minimum of 8 hours in the sleeper berth. They may split this time into two periods, at least 2 hours.
Adverse driving conditions In bad weather or road conditions, the 11-hour limit and 14-hour driving window can extend up to 2 hours.	Adverse driving conditions They may extend their 10-hour driving limit and 15-hour work window by up to 2 hours in adverse conditions.

Short-haul exception update

The FMCSA expanded the short-haul rule to include 150 air miles, allowing drivers to work a 14-hour shift.

What happens if drivers violate the Hours of Service rules?

Violating DOT Hours of Service rules can lead to serious consequences, including fines and penalties for drivers and companies. The DOT fines for Hours of Service violations can accumulate quickly, impacting a trucking company’s bottom line.

Drivers could have their licenses revoked, so they and fleet managers must comply with these regulations.

Are there any state-specific differences in Hours of Service regulations?

FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) regulations apply uniformly across the U.S. However, states may enforce them differently. Some states may also have specific requirements for certain industries. Some examples include:

State	DOT Driver Hours of Service regulation
California	Follows FMCSA regulations but has additional emissions and environmental rules affecting truck operations, including compliance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements.
Texas	It follows FMCSA regulations but has a short-haul exemption for drivers working within 150 air miles. Drivers may work a 14-hour shift and intrastate drivers may drive for 12 hours after 10 hours off duty. Additionally, drivers must document their driving time if their employer does not release them from duty within 12 hours.
Alaska	FMCSA rules apply, but there are specific exemptions for intrastate operations. Alaska offers flexibility for commercial vehicles under 26,000 lbs. These vehicles are exempt from ELD requirements and federal HOS rules. However, they must comply with these regulations if they transport hazardous materials or carry more than 15 passengers.
Florida	Florida follows FMCSA regulations but has specific intrastate rules. Florida allows drivers to operate for 12 hours after taking 10 hours off-duty. However, they must stop driving once they reach the 16th hour on duty. The regulations restrict drivers to 70 hours of driving in 7 days or 80 hours in 8 days. Drivers within a 150-mile radius are exempt from maintaining a logbook unless they exceed 12 hours of duty.

What about Canadian regulations for fleet operations?

Fleets across the U.S.-Canada border must understand Canada’s ELD mandate and Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.

While similar to FMCSA rules, Canada's HOS regulations have specific requirements and exemptions that could affect cross-border operations. Canada’s ELD mandate requires compliance for vehicles operating between provinces or meeting specific weight criteria.

For a deeper dive into ELD compliance in Canada, visit our Canadian ELD mandate blog.