11/05/2025
Understanding FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) Rules
The FMCSA’s Hours of Service regulations are designed to help keep drivers — and everyone on the road — safe by preventing fatigue. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Property-Carrying Drivers:
• Drive Time: Up to 11 hours after 10 hours off duty
• 14-Hour Limit: Can’t drive past 14 hours on duty
• Breaks: 30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving
• Weekly Limit: 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 days (restart after 34 hours off)
• Sleeper Berth: Can split 10-hour rest (7+ hours sleeper + 2 hours off)
• Adverse Conditions: May extend driving time by up to 2 hours
• Short-Haul Exception: Stay within 150 air miles & return within 14 hours
Passenger-Carrying Drivers:
• Drive Time: Up to 10 hours after 8 hours off duty
• 15-Hour Limit: Can’t drive after 15 hours on duty
• Weekly Limit: 60/70 hours in 7/8 days
• Sleeper Berth: Must take 8 hours in sleeper (can split into 2+ hour segments)
• Adverse Conditions: May extend by 2 hours
Why it matters: Following HOS rules helps prevent fatigue-related crashes, protects your CDL, and keeps your operation compliant.
For more information visit: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
Most drivers must follow the HOS Regulations if they drive a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV. In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions: Weighs 10,001 pounds or more Has a gross vehicle weight rating o...