How long can truck drivers drive?

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Sources
CMV Driving Tips - Driver Distraction | FMCSA
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www.fmcsa.dot.gov
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1
Vehicle In Cab Cameras And The Law – Driver Facing Cameras
www.cameramatics.com favicon
www.cameramatics.com
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2
HGV Driver Hours: How Many Hours can a Truck Driver Work?
connectedfleet.michelin.com favicon
connectedfleet.michelin.com
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3
How Truckers Pass Time on Long Hauls | Drive Knight
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driveknight.com
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4
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Answer
Truck drivers are subject to specific regulations regarding their driving hours to ensure safety on the roads. Here are the key limits on truck driver hours:
  1. Daily driving limit: Truck drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours per day13. This 11-hour driving period must be completed within a 14-hour on-duty window35.
  2. Required rest period: After completing their driving shift, truck drivers must take at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty before starting their next shift35.
  3. Weekly driving limit: In a single week, truck drivers cannot exceed 56 hours of total drive time3.
  4. Break requirements: Truck drivers must take a 30-minute break during the first 8 hours of their on-duty time5.
  5. Maximum on-duty time: The 14-hour on-duty window includes both driving and non-driving activities. Once this window starts, it continues to run even if the driver takes breaks35.
  6. Split break option: Drivers have the option to split their required break into two parts - an initial 15-minute break followed by a 35-minute break later in their shift3.
These regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue and improve road safety. Violations of these rules can result in fines for both the driver and the trucking company, and repeated violations may lead to more severe consequences, including potential court action and vehicle immobilization3. It's important to note that while these are the general rules, there may be some variations or exceptions in specific situations or jurisdictions. Truck drivers and fleet managers must stay informed about the current regulations to ensure compliance and maintain safety on the roads.

References

1. CMV Driving Tips - Driver Distraction | FMCSA2. Vehicle In Cab Cameras And The Law – Driver Facing Cameras3. HGV Driver Hours: How Many Hours can a Truck Driver Work?4. How Truckers Pass Time on Long Hauls | Drive Knight5. The New 14-Hour Rule for Truck Drivers: What You Need to Know



Author: schneiderjobs



Key insights

  • ⏱️ The 14-hour rule limits the length of work day that a driver can work, with no driving allowed after 14 hours have passed from when the day started.
  • ⏱️ The 70 hour rule allows for flexibility in how drivers take their breaks, whether it's off duty, on duty non-driving work, or time in the sleeper birth.
  • ⏱️ The 10 hour break is the daily break that typically occurs for a driver, and many drivers take 10 consecutive hours off duty under the current hours of service.
  • Split breaks can be complicated for many drivers to understand and calculate, leading to potential compliance issues.
  • ⏰ Team drivers can take turns driving, allowing the truck to continue moving in a team operation.
  • ⏰ Truck drivers can now extend their 14-hour work day by up to two hours if they encounter adverse driving conditions, allowing for more flexibility in their schedule.

Timestamped Summary

  • 00:00 Truck drivers can drive for 11 hours in a day before taking a break, and can work for a maximum of 14 hours with no driving after that, with a 30-minute rest break required.
  • 00:48 Truck drivers can take breaks in various forms, and the 70 hour rule applies to 70 hours in eight days.
  • 01:07 Truck drivers are allowed to work 70 hours over 8 days, with a 34-hour restart required, and a 10-hour daily break.
  • 01:42 Truck drivers can split their rest break into different hours, but it can be complicated to calculate and understand.
  • 02:14 Truck drivers can drive for 11 hours in a shift, but team drivers can take turns driving to keep the truck moving.
  • 02:56 Truck drivers can be placed out of service if they violate the hours of service rule, and there have been changes to the short haul exemption.
  • 03:23 Truck drivers can now travel up to 150 air miles from their terminal, work a 14-hour day, and extend their work day by up to two hours in adverse driving conditions.

Video Full Text

  • 00:00 So I'm andrea sequin I'm the director of regulatory compliance here at schneider national and today we're going to talk about how many hours a truck driver can drive in a day. So currently under the hours of service. A truck driver is allowed to drive 11 hours during a day before they need to take a break. So the 14-hour rule is the length of work day that a driver can work so um 14 hours after they begin their day. They no longer can drive. After that point. They can actually work beyond 14 hours in a day but there is no driving after 14 hours have passed from when that day started so the 30 minute rest break recently changed here in 2020. Previously it was required to be taken off duty.
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  • 00:48 Now that break can be taken uh in any form that is a break from driving so that could be off duty that could be on duty non-driving work or time spent in the sleeper birth. So the 70 hour rule is a 70 hours in eight days.
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  • 01:07 So over the course of eight days a truck driver is allowed to work so driving and non-driving work a total of 70 hours in that eight day period um at which point uh they would need a 34-hour restart or they would be able to use the hours that become available because of that day. That is rolling off on the back so the 10 hour break is the daily break that typically occurs for a driver. Many drivers take 10 consecutive hours off duty under the current hours of service.
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  • 01:42 They also allow a version up to a seven and three split so you could do seven and three eight and two nine and one or the ten hour break um with the split break. You then have to calculate your time before and after the break to ensure that you're still in compliance with the rules um a little tricky. Uh but some drivers do do that at schneider we do not split break we um we look to have the fleet do the full 10 hour consecutive rest break. The split break is complicated for many drivers to understand and calculate um so.
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  • 02:14 It's just typically easier to do the 10 hour restart. Also that ensures that we give our drivers proper time to get proper rest get a meal anything else that they may need to do at the end of the day or before beginning their day. The next day so team drivers and solo drivers. Each individual is still restricted to 11 hours of driving in their um shift. However with the team obviously as one is completing their rest break. The other can drive which gives the effect of the the truck continuing to move in a team operation. If a driver violates the hours of service rule.
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  • 02:56 It depends on where that's encountered if they are found at a roadside inspection to be in violation of the hours of service rule that may result in them being placed out of service until they are back in compliance with the rules. So in 2020 beyond the 30-minute rest break and the split sleeper changes that we talked through. There was two other major changes. The first was to the short haul exemption so under the new short haul exemption.
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  • 03:23 A driver can travel up to 150 air miles from their terminal during the day as long as they return to that terminal and they are now allowed to work a 14-hour day. If they meet those requirements um. They may not be required to keep an electronic log um and then the the other major change was the adverse driving rule previously if you encountered adverse driving which is something that is not known to you prior to dispatch that delays your trip that would have normally been accomplished within the hours of service rule. You could only extend your 11-hour drive limit. You now can also extend that 14-hour work day um by up to two hours thank you for watching and if you have any questions about the hours of service. Please leave them below.
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