Hours of Service (HOS)

What is the 11-hour rule?

Property-carrying CDL drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty (49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)). The driving must occur within a 14-hour on-duty window. After the 14-hour window expires, the driver must take another 10 consecutive hours off before driving again.

What is the 14-hour rule?

The 14-hour rule limits a driver's total on-duty period to 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off (49 CFR 395.3(a)(2)). Once the 14-hour clock starts, off-duty time during the window does not pause it. Driving after the 14-hour limit is prohibited even if the driver has remaining 11-hour driving time.

What is the 30-minute rest break rule?

Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time (49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii)). The break can be off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving. The 2020 HOS final rule eliminated the requirement that the break be off-duty, expanding flexibility.

What HOS exemptions exist?

Common exemptions include: short-haul exemption (49 CFR 395.1(e)(1)) for drivers operating within 150 air miles and returning to the same work location within 14 hours; agricultural exemption (395.1(k)) within 150-air-mile radius during planting/harvesting season; adverse driving conditions extension (395.1(b)) up to 2 additional hours; and non-CDL short-haul (395.1(e)(2)) for non-CDL property-carrying drivers within 150 air miles.