Hours of service basics: the federal driving time rules for truck and bus drivers
The daily and weekly driving limits for truck and bus drivers and how breaks work
Tired drivers and heavy vehicles are a dangerous mix. In 2024, 5,340 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks. Seventy percent of them were in other vehicles [1]. A federal study of large truck crashes found that 13 percent of commercial drivers involved were considered fatigued at the time of the crash [2].
The federal hours of service rules exist to limit that risk. They set how long commercial drivers can drive and work, and how much rest they must get. This guide explains the rules in plain English for drivers, dispatchers and small fleet owners.
Who has to follow these rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets hours of service rules for commercial motor vehicles used in interstate commerce. In general, that includes a vehicle that [3]:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more, including a loaded trailer
- Is designed or used to carry 9 to 15 people, including the driver, for pay
- Is designed or used to carry 16 or more people, including the driver, whether paid or not
- Carries hazardous materials in amounts that require placards
That means the rules cover many box trucks, pickup and trailer combinations, hotel shuttles and passenger vans, not just big rigs. Drivers who stay within one state follow their state’s rules, which are often similar.
The rules for truck drivers
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Hours of service limits for property and passenger carriers
| Rule | Truck drivers (property) | Bus and van drivers (passengers) |
|---|---|---|
| Rest before driving | 10 hours off duty in a row | 8 hours off duty in a row |
| Maximum driving | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| Duty window or limit | No driving after the 14th hour since coming on duty | No driving after 15 hours on duty |
| Rest break | 30 minutes after 8 hours of driving | No federal break rule |
| Weekly limit | 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days | 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days |
| Restart | 34 hours off in a row resets the week | No restart option |
Source: FMCSA summary of hours of service rules and 49 CFR 395 [3, 4].
The 11 hour rule. After 10 hours off duty in a row, a truck driver may drive up to 11 hours.
The 14 hour rule. Once the driver comes on duty, a 14 hour clock starts. The driver may not drive after the 14th hour, even if they still have driving time left. Lunch, fueling and waiting at a dock do not stop this clock. After the 14 hours, the driver can still do other work, but not drive.
The 30 minute break. After 8 hours of total driving, the driver needs a break of at least 30 minutes in a row. Since 2020, that break can be off duty, in the sleeper berth or on duty but not driving, such as fueling [3].
The 60 and 70 hour rules. A driver may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days. Which one applies depends on whether the company runs every day of the week.
The 34 hour restart. Taking 34 or more hours off in a row resets the weekly clock to zero.
Sleeper berth splits
Truck drivers with a sleeper berth can split their required 10 hours off into two periods. One period must be at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth. The other must be at least 2 hours, in the berth or off duty. Together they must add up to at least 10 hours [3]. When done correctly, neither period counts against the 14 hour window.
Splits help drivers nap during the hours their bodies want sleep, but they can be confusing. Many drivers ask their electronic logging device provider or safety department to walk through an example.
Exceptions drivers should know
Bad weather or traffic. Sometimes unexpected trouble strikes, such as snow or a crash that closes the road. In that case, a driver may extend the driving limit and the duty window by up to 2 hours [3].
Short haul drivers. Drivers who stay within 150 air miles of their work base and return within 14 hours may not need a full log. Their employer keeps time records instead [3].
Personal conveyance. Off duty drivers may sometimes move a truck for personal reasons, such as to a nearby safe place to rest. Company rules vary.
Electronic logs and enforcement
Most drivers who must keep logs use an electronic logging device, or ELD. It records driving time from the engine. Inspectors can check it at the roadside. Drivers caught over their hours can be placed out of service until they get enough rest. Fleets can be fined and see their safety scores drop.
What is changing: the 2026 pilot programs
FMCSA is testing two pilot programs that give some drivers more flexibility [5]:
- Flexible sleeper berth. Drivers can split their 10 hours off in any combination, as long as one period is at least 5 hours in the sleeper berth.
- Split duty period. Drivers can pause the 14 hour clock for up to 3 hours a day while not driving.
As of August 2026, small pretests were complete. FMCSA plans to open the full pilots in 2027, with up to 256 drivers in each [5]. The standard rules above still apply to everyone who is not in a pilot.
Legal is not the same as rested
The rules set limits, not targets. A driver can be fully legal and still too tired to drive safely. Poor sleep, sleep apnea, night driving and long waits at docks all add to fatigue.
Warning signs you need to stop:
- Yawning or heavy eyelids
- Drifting out of the lane or hitting rumble strips
- Missing exits or signs
- Not remembering the last few miles
Warning: If you notice these signs, find a safe place to stop and sleep. No load is worth a crash. Coffee and an open window only buy minutes.
Checklist for drivers and dispatchers
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- We know whether our vehicles count as commercial motor vehicles
- Drivers know the 11, 14, 30 minute and 60/70 hour limits
- Dispatch plans loads with time for rest, traffic and weather
- Drivers know how sleeper berth splits work on their ELD
- Drivers can refuse to drive when too tired without fear of punishment
- We check drivers for sleep problems as part of medical certification
Frequently asked questions
Does sitting at a loading dock count as on duty?
Yes, if you are waiting at the dock and are responsible for the truck. That time counts toward the 14 hour window and the weekly limit.
Do church or school vans have to follow these rules?
It depends on the van, its use and whether it crosses state lines. A van carrying 9 to 15 people for pay in interstate commerce is covered. Check with FMCSA or your state for your situation.
Can my company make me drive over my hours?
No. Federal rules bar companies from requiring or allowing drivers to break hours of service limits. Drivers who report safety violations have whistleblower protections.
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Traffic Safety Facts 2024 Data: Large Trucks” (DOT HS 813 816). trid.trb.org/View/2712647
- 2Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “The Large Truck Crash Causation Study: Analysis Brief.” fmcsa.dot.gov/…/large-truck-crash-causation…
- 3Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “Summary of Hours of Service Regulations.” fmcsa.dot.gov/…/summary-of-hours-of-service…
- 4Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. “49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service of Drivers.” ecfr.gov/…/part-395
- 5Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “FMCSA Advances Hours of Service Pilot Programs for America’s Truck Drivers.” August 27, 2026. fmcsa.dot.gov/…/fmcsa-advances-hours-servic…
This article reflects the safety priorities of commercial vehicle safety and driver fatigue prevention. It is general education, not legal advice. Check FMCSA and your state for the rules that apply to you. Reviewed November 2026.
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