Key FMCSA HOS rules include: 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty, 14-hour on-duty window, 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and a 60/70-hour limit over 7/8 consecutive days.
Hours of Service rules exist to reduce driver fatigue and improve road safety. Here's a plain-language breakdown of the key rules.
The 11-Hour Driving Limit
You may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Once used, you must take at least 10 hours off before driving again.
The 14-Hour On-Duty Window
You may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty — regardless of how many hours you've actually driven. This clock cannot be paused by a short rest.
The 30-Minute Break Rule
If you've driven 8 cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption, you must take a 30-minute break before continuing to drive.
The 60/70-Hour Limit
You may not drive after 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days (if your carrier operates every day), or 60 hours in 7 consecutive days (if it does not). You can restart the clock after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
The Sleeper Berth Provision
Drivers with a sleeper berth can split the required 10-hour rest into two periods: one minimum 7 consecutive hours in the berth plus additional rest, with the two periods totaling at least 10 consecutive hours combined.
Short-Haul Exemption
If you operate within a 150 air-mile radius and return within 14 hours each day, you may be exempt from ELD requirements.
Adverse Weather Extension
When unexpected severe weather or road conditions arise mid-trip, drivers may extend their driving and on-duty time by up to 2 hours to reach a safe stopping point or their destination.
Recap Hours
Hours from days older than 7 (for the 7-day cycle) or 8 (for the 8-day cycle) days drop off the rolling cycle automatically, restoring those hours to your available total. No 34-hour restart is needed for recap — the hours return naturally as old days age out of the cycle. Recap hours are visible on the Driver App dashboard (where to view recap hours) and in the Fleet Portal (fleet managers viewing driver recap hours). A 34-hour restart resets the full cycle when needed — see the difference between a 34-hour restart and recap hours. See also fields shown on the recap screen.
Route One ELD automatically tracks all of these rules and alerts you before violations occur. The ELD enters driving mode automatically at 5 mph. Learn how to view HOS violations in the driver app.