How many hours can a CDL driver be on duty?

The FMCSA states that property carrying drivers can be on duty for 14 hours and passenger carrying drivers can be on duty for 15 hours. Both limits can be extended by two hours if they encounter adverse driving conditions. See more specific rules about driving limits below.

14-hour limit

This rule refers to the driver’s daily on-duty limit. To be more specific, drivers can’t drive for more than 11 of those hours, but can perform other work in the other three hours. 

Note: Property-carrying drivers have a maximum of 14 hours on duty, while passenger carrying drivers have a maximum of 15 hours on duty.

60/70 hour limit 

This rule refers to the limit of hours over a period of consecutive days. To be more specific, a driver can only be on duty for a maximum of 60 hours over a period of seven consecutive days. A driver can also be on duty for a maximum of 70 hours over a period of eight consecutive days. 

Adverse driving conditions

This exception allows property-carrying drivers to extend their maximum 14-hour on-duty time by two hours when encountering unexpected adverse driving conditions.