Guide to hours-of-service
A guide to hours-of-service (HOS) rules and regulations in the United States.
What is HOS?
According to the FMCSA, hours of service (HOS) is the maximum amount of time drivers are allowed to be on duty. This includes drive time and specifies the number and length of rest periods. HOS helps ensure that drivers stay awake and alert while en route. In general, all carriers and drivers operating commercial motor […]
Learn MoreHours-of-service rules.
Hours of service refers to the amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty, ensures driver safety, limits drive time, and requires a specific number and length of rest periods so drivers stay awake and alert. In nearly all cases, trucking carriers and drivers operating CMVs must comply with hours-of-service regulations found in […]
Learn MoreHours-of-service exemptions and exceptions.
To ensure road safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed several hours-of-service rules and regulations. The goal of these hours-of-service rules is to minimize driver fatigue and improve safety for everyone on the road. Although the rules are straightforward, there are also four hours-of-service exemptions that drivers and fleet managers should be […]
Learn MoreCommon driver and HOS violations.
Commercial vehicles are subject to regular inspections. If the driver or vehicle is out of compliance in some way, the driver or fleet could be subject to a written warning or a fine. If the issue is serious enough, the driver or vehicle can immediately be placed out of service. These are considered HOS violations. […]
Learn MoreHours-of-service calculator.
The FMCSA regulates the number of hours commercial drivers may drive and work per day and week. These rules also encompass other restrictions, such as taking mandatory rest breaks. The FMCSA and the DOT refer to these rules as the hours-of-service rules. The idea is to regulate the number of hours drivers drive to minimize […]
Learn MoreHours-of-service apps and tracking software.
The main goal of the FMCSA’s ELD mandate is to create a safe environment for commercial drivers, reduce driver fatigue, enforce HOS rules, and minimize road accidents. Part of enforcing HOS rules means that HOS duty statuses are automatically recorded by an ELD system. An element of many BYOD ELD systems is an hours-of-service app […]
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# 10-hour driving limit A driver may drive a maximum of 10 hours after nine consecutive hours off duty. 11-hour driving limit A property-carrying driver can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty within the 14-hour period. 14-hour rule A property-carrying driver can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after […]
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