The FMCSA Hours-of-Service Regulations is a detailed rule that every driver of a Commercial Motor Vehicle must adhere to. Although there were some changes to the hours-of-service rules in December, 2011, the standard 14 hour driving window & maximum 11 hour daily driving times have remained the same. Major changes to the rule that were implemented in December: the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week have been reduced by 12 hours, from up to 82 hours within a 7 day period down to 70 hours. Also, truck drivers cannot drive after working 8 hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. The rule also requires truck drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take at least a 2 night rest when their 24 hour body clock demands sleep the most: from 1am to 5am. These rules were implemented in December 2011, became effective in February 2012, and all CMV drivers and companies must comply to all rules by July 1, 2013.

So, let’s do a quick review of the 14-Hour Driving Window with an example:

After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver has available 14 hour window in which they are allowed to drive for 11 hours. The 14 hour window includes driving time, on duty time (includes time spent loading, unloading, waiting to at sheds to load/unload, fueling, and servicing) and off duty time (time not spent on duty or driving). So for example, a driver has 14 hours available and 11 hours driving starting at 10am on Day 1 ; the driver went on duty for 1 hour, drove for 5 hours, went off duty for one hour, drove for another 6 hours between 5pm and 11pm, and was on duty for 1 hour. The driver in  this example has driven the maximum 11 hour limit within the 14 hour “driving window” and is in compliance with the rule. Starting at midnight on Day 2, the driver may not operate a CMV until he/she goes off duty for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours, indicated in the log by the sleeper berth row. Note that the 1 hour off duty break during 4pm and 5pm on Day 1 was necessary as the driver may drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off duty period of at least 30 minutes.*

For more information and examples of the Hours-of-Service Regulations, visit the FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service web pages.

*reference – Hours of Service Logbook Examples. U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. February 2012; Revised February 28, 2012.

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