New HOS FAQ

NEW HOS Frequently Asked Questions
Need to ask a question? Sign In and Ask Other Drivers.

Note: The content of these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is based on an "Hours of Service Enforcement Policy" currently in effect at the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA), pending further notice and rulemaking which may be needed to resolve any remaining ambiguities in the new rules.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

When will carriers and drivers be allowed or required to comply with the new hours-of-service rules?

Are previous interpretations and guidance regarding hours-of-service still valid?

Are there exceptions to the hours-of-service rules?

How do the new rules differ from existing HOS regulations?

Why is the maximum driving time increasing from 10 hours to 11 hours? How does raising the number of driving hours save lives?

Won't the restart provision cause drivers to tire more easily than the current hours-of-service provisions?

How does the final rule benefit the motor-carrier industry?

How does the final rule benefit the American public?

If a driver takes the 34-hour reset in Canada just before entering the U.S., will it be recognized as such in the U.S.?

Why didn't the agency mandate a 24-hour clock?

What are the major provisions in this rule that really improve safety?

What are the penalties for violating the hours-of-service rules?

Are Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) required?

Are motorcoach operators and drivers required to comply with the new rule?

What happens if a driver operates both a bus and truck for part of each day or each week?

If a State retains the 8 hours off-duty requirement for intrastate operations, may a driver who takes 8 hours off duty after completing an intrastate trip begin driving on an interstate trip?

Will waiting time in line at a terminal, plant, or port be considered "off duty" or "on duty, not driving"?

May a driver be called after 8 hours off-duty to report to work 2 hours later?

How does the new hours-of-service rule affect the adverse weather exception?

Are drivers of vehicles that are specially constructed to service oil wells required to log waiting time as on-duty time under the new rule?

Does the new hours-of-service regulation apply to Mexican and Canadian drivers? 100 AIR-MILE EXCEPTION DRIVERS
100 AIR-MILE EXCEPTION DRIVERS

Does the driving time for drivers choosing to use the 100 air-mile radius exception (requiring no log book) increase to 11 hours or is it kept at its current limitation of 10 hours driving? 10

May a "100 air-mile radius" driver utilize the "16 hour duty period" exception in § 395.1(o)?

May drivers who work split shifts take advantage of the 100 air-mile radius exemption found at §395.1(e)? 14-HOUR PERIOD
14-HOUR PERIOD

May a driver be on duty for more than 14 hours?

If a carrier allows a driver to log meal time as off-duty time, does that permit a driver to extend the 14-hour on-duty period? 11 16-HOUR EXCEPTION

May a short-haul driver take two 15-hour on-duty periods in a seven-day period, rather than one 16-hour on-duty period? 12

Won't the 16-hour exception result in additional fatigue?

What is a "duty tour" as the term is used in § 395.1(o)? May a driver work a 16-hour extended day after having been off-duty for 34 consecutive hours? Must a driver comply with the 5-duty tour provision prior to a 34-hour off-duty period? 12

If a driver is "on duty, not driving" during the 15th and 16th hour of his duty tour and does not drive after that, has he used the 16-hour exception in 395.1(o)? 12

May driver having more than one "normal" work reporting location use 395.1(o) "short-haul 16 hr exception"? 34-HOUR RESTART
34-HOUR RESTART

Does 34 consecutive hours off duty automatically restart the calculation of the 60/70-hour on-duty period?

If a driver works at another job, unrelated to trucking, during his 34-hour off-duty restart period, and then begins a duty shift for the trucking company, is the driver in violation of the hours-of-service requirements? 14

If a driver must take one or more days off to get into compliance with 60/70 hr requirement, can that same time period be counted toward the 34-hour restart? 14

Is use of the 34-hour restart period mandatory?

If a driver is on-call, but has not been called for 34 hours, may those 34 hours be counted as a 34-hour restart? SLEEPER BERTHS
SLEEPER BERTHS

May a driver spend part of his 34 hours of consecutive off-duty time in a sleeper berth?

After 10 hours off duty, a driver has recorded driving time and one or more periods in the sleeper berth, that do not total 10 hours. In this case, how is the 14-hour rule calculated during a roadside inspection? 15

If there is a violation of the 11 or 14-hour rule before a driver obtains a second sleeper berth period, would the single previous sleeper berth period be used toward the calculation of the 14-hour rule? 15

GENERAL PROVISIONS

When will carriers and drivers be allowed or required to comply with the new hours-of-service rules?
Carriers and drivers are required to operate under the current rules through January 3, 2004. This will allow adequate time for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), regulated industry, and the enforcement community to be trained and make any systems changes required by the new rules. Compliance with the new rules is required starting January 4, 2004.

1.1 On January 3rd, a driver has taken a full 10 hr. break and is now driving over midnight into the 4th. Would the driver be able to drive 11 hours?

Yes. If a period of on-duty activity starts on Jan. 3 and continues to Jan. 4, the driver/carrier has the option of using either the "old" or "new" rules. On January 4, 2004, a driver may continue under the "old" rules until the end of the trip or the end of the day on Jan. 4 whichever comes first.

1.2 On January 3rd, the driver was off for a full 24 hours and continues into January 4th with off duty time for an additional 10 hours to obtain a full 34 hrs. Would the driver be able to utilize the 34 hr reset?

Yes. Since the driver's off duty time has extended into the compliance date of the regulations, the 34-hour restart may be used.

Are previous interpretations and guidance regarding hours-of-service still valid?
The FMCSA is currently updating and revising its regulatory guidance to Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to conform to the provisions of the new hours-of-service regulations, and to provide additional guidance concerning the application of the new regulations. All prior interpretations and regulatory guidance relating to Part 395 of the FMCSRs, as well as FMCSA and FHWA memoranda and letters concerning Part 395, may no longer be relied upon as authoritative to the extent they are inconsistent with the final rule published April 28, 2003 and the Technical Amendments published September 30, 2003. All interpretations and guidance for Parts other than Part 395 remain valid.

Are there exceptions to the hours-of-service rules?
Yes. For example, vehicles used in ground water well-drilling operations, utility service, and transporting construction materials and equipment retain the current 24-hour restart provision. However, these drivers are required to comply with the new 10-hour off-duty and 11-hour driving limitations, as well as the prohibition on driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty.
The current HOS rules allow 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period, after 8 hours of off-duty time. Also, drivers may not drive after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after being on duty 60 hours in a 7 consecutive day period or 70 hours in an 8 consecutive day period. These rules remain in effect for passenger-carrying commercial drivers involved in interstate commerce. The new HOS rules allow property-carrying commercial drivers to drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, following 10 hours off duty. Similar to existing rules, drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty within a consecutive 7-day period or 70 hours on duty in a consecutive 8-day period. However, drivers may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Why is the maximum driving time increasing from 10 hours to 11 hours? How does raising the number of driving hours save lives?
The new science-based rule makes significant strides in providing commercial drivers a 24-hour work/rest schedule in line with the body's circadian rhythm. The longer off-duty time allows drivers to have more regular schedules and increases the potential for quality sleep. This is consistent with fatigue- and sleep-related studies considered in development of the rule that indicate the amount and quality of sleep a person receives has a strong influence on alertness.
No. The restart provision is set up to help drivers obtain more restorative sleep than under the existing HOS rules. The combination of a longer, daily off-duty period, and the limitation on driving to within 14 hours of starting the work day, is designed to enable the driver to work a more regular schedule, limit the opportunities for driving while fatigued, and promote better opportunities for sleep.
How does the final rule benefit the motor-carrier industry?
The first priority in finalizing this rule is safety. In addition, drivers will have a better opportunity to obtain rest and restorative sleep, so they can be alert and drive safely, than under current HOS rules. The final rule helps to eliminate some of the worst aspects of daily rotating schedules and the compression of weekly on-duty time into a short portion of the workweek. Additionally, motor carriers should see lowered costs through a reduction in crashes.

How does the final rule benefit the American public?
The FMCSA estimates this rule may save up to 75 lives and prevent as many as 1,326 fatigue-related crashes annually. This hours-of-service rule should reduce commercial motor vehicle crashes, fatalities, and injuries, making America a safer place for the driving public.

If a driver takes the 34-hour reset in Canada just before entering the U.S., will it be recognized as such in the U.S.?
Yes. Duty status changes and periods occurring in Canada before entering the U.S. are included in hours-of-service calculations while in the U.S. Also see question # 21.

Why didn't the agency mandate a 24-hour clock?
The final rule makes significant strides in providing drivers the opportunity for longer daily rest and restorative sleep, while moving in the direction of a 24-hour clock. This move toward more regular work and rest hours is accomplished while still allowing flexibility in motor carrier operations.

What are the major provisions in this rule that really improve safety?
This rule will help ensure that drivers get sufficient rest to drive safely. The new science-based rule makes significant strides in providing commercial drivers a 24-hour work/rest schedule in line with the body's circadian rhythm. This is done by reducing the workday from 15 to 14 hours, by replacing the required 8 off-duty hours with 10 off-duty hours, and by not allowing work breaks to extend the 14 hours on-duty time.

What are the penalties for violating the hours-of-service (HOS) rules?
Drivers or carriers who violate the HOS rules face serious penalties:

Drivers may be placed out-of-service (shut down) at roadside until the driver has accumulated enough off-duty time to be back in compliance;

State and local enforcement officials may assess fines;

FMCSA may levy civil penalties on driver or carrier, ranging from $550 to $11,000 per violation depending on severity;

The carrier's safety rating can be downgraded for a pattern of violations; and

Federal criminal penalties can be brought against carriers who knowingly and willfully allow or require HOS violations.

However, FMCSA will only take enforcement measures for egregious violations during the first sixty days the rule is in effect.

Are Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs) required?
No. FMCSA has decided not to mandate EOBRs at this time. The agency plans an expanded research initiative on EOBRs and other technologies, including evaluating alternatives for encouraging or providing incentives for their use.

Are motorcoach operators and drivers required to comply with the new rule?
No. Motorcoach operators and drivers will continue to operate under the "old" hours-of-service rules that provide for an 8-hour off-duty period, no driving after 15 hours on-duty, and a 10-hour driving limit. FMCSA may reconsider its decision following completion of research assessing the unique characteristics of motorcoach operations.

What happens if a driver operates both a bus and truck for part of each day or each week?
A driver will be subject to the limits on driving time applicable to the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) the driver is driving (11 hours for a property-carrying CMV, 10 hours for a passenger CMV), and will be required to meet the off-duty requirements applicable to the type of CMV the driver will drive immediately after that off-duty period (10 hours if the next assignment is in a property-carrying CMV, 8 hours if it is in a passenger CMV). For example, if a bus driver completes 8 hours off-duty for the motorcoach company, the driver must remain off-duty for another 2 hours before driving for the trucking company. After completing 10 consecutive hours off-duty, the driver may drive for 11 hours for the trucking company. Following 8 consecutive hours off-duty, the driver may then drive for the bus company.

If a State retains the 8 hours off-duty requirement for intrastate operations, may a driver who takes 8 hours off duty after completing an intrastate trip begin driving on an interstate trip?
No. The driver must take an additional 2 consecutive hours off duty, for a total of 10 consecutive hours, before beginning an interstate trip.

Will waiting time in line at a terminal, plant, or port be considered "off duty" or "on duty, not driving"?
Waiting time is considered on duty, not driving.

May a driver be called after 8 hours off-duty to report to work 2 hours later?
Yes. The hours-of-service rule does not control communication between the driver and the motor carrier during the driver's off-duty time, so the call may occur. However, the driver cannot be required to do any work for the motor carrier during the 10 hours of off-duty time.

How does the new hours-of-service rule affect the adverse weather exception?
The new hours-of-service rule continues to permit a driver to exceed the 10 or 11-hour driving limit by no more than 2 hours under adverse weather conditions; however, this adverse weather exception does not permit a driver to exceed the 14 or 15 hour limit or the 60/70 hour limit. An absolute prerequisite for any use of the adverse weather exception must be that the trip involved is one that could normally and reasonably have been completed without a violation and that the unforeseen event occurred after the driver began the trip. Drivers who are dispatched after the motor carrier has been notified or should have known of adverse driving conditions are not eligible for the two hours additional driving time provided for under §395.1(b) , adverse driving conditions. The term "in any emergency" shall not be construed as encompassing such situations as a driver's desire to get home, shippers' demands, market declines, shortage of drivers, or mechanical failures.

Are drivers of vehicles that are specially constructed to service oil wells required to log waiting time as on-duty time under the new rule?
No. The new rule retains the current exception in § 395.1(d)(2), which provides that these drivers are not required to log time waiting at a natural gas or oil well site as "on duty, not driving" time. This specific group of drivers is allowed to extend, by the amount of their waiting time, the 14-hour period after coming on duty during which driving is allowed.

Does the new hours-of-service (HOS) regulation apply to Mexican and Canadian drivers?
Yes. Mexican and Canadian drivers currently must comply with U.S. HOS regulations at the time they enter the United States and while operating in the United States. The new regulations are applicable to them. They must maintain a current record of duty status for the previous 7/8 consecutive day period, and their last consecutive hours off-duty period must be at least 10 hours for property-carrying drivers.

100 AIR-MILE EXCEPTION DRIVERS

Does the driving time for drivers choosing to use the 100 air-mile radius exception (requiring no log book) increase to 11 hours or is it kept at its current limitation of 10 hours driving?
A property-carrying driver using the 100 air-mile radius exception is subject to the 11-hour driving time, 12-hour maximum duty period, and 10-hour off-duty time requirements of the new rule. However, a passenger-carrying driver using the 100 air-mile radius exception is subject to the 10-hour driving time, 12-hour maximum duty period, and 8-hour off-duty time requirement of the old rule. For both categories of drivers, if the driver exceeds the 12-hour maximum duty period, the driver must maintain a logbook for that day.

May a "100 air-mile radius" driver utilize the "16-hour duty period" exception in § 395.1(o)?
Yes. A driver operating under the 100 air-mile exception in § 395.1(e) may also meet the requirements in § 395.1(o) enabling the driver to have 1 period of 16 hours duty each week (or after a 34-hour restart). However, on the day in which the 16-hour exception is utilized, the driver would not meet the 12-hour duty period requirement of the 100 air-mile logbook exception and would therefore be required to maintain a logbook for that day.

May drivers who work split shifts take advantage of the 100 air-mile radius exemption found at §395.1(e)?
For property-carrying drivers, the concept of "split shifts" is no longer relevant due to the limitations of the 14-hour rule. The exception in 49 CFR 395.1(e) only provides an exception to the record of duty status (RODS), i.e., "logbook," requirements. It does not exempt the driver from any requirements of the HOS rules. A driver may go on and off duty multiple times during a duty tour, but all of the on- and off-duty time (with certain sleeper berth exceptions) continues to accumulate toward the 14-hour time limit. A driver utilizing the 100 air-mile radius exception would also be limited by the 14-hour rule. Regardless of how many times the driver goes on and off duty during the duty tour, if the driver exceeds a total of 12 consecutive hours from first starting the daily duty tour, the 100 air-mile exception would no longer apply and the driver will be required to maintain a RODS. Prior Regulatory Guidance (§ 395.1 Question 19) on this subject no longer applies to property-carrying drivers.

14-HOUR PERIOD

May a driver be on duty for more than 14 hours?
Yes. A driver may remain on duty for more than 14 hours; however, the driver cannot drive a CMV after the 14th hour after coming on duty. Also, the additional on-duty time will reduce on-duty time available under the 60/70-hour time limit.

If a carrier allows a driver to log meal time as off-duty time, does that permit a driver to extend the 14-hour on-duty period?
No. Off-duty breaks during the day do not extend the workday to permit a driver to drive after the 14th consecutive hour on duty. However, time logged as off duty is not counted in calculating a driver's 60/70-hour on-duty period.

16-HOUR EXCEPTION

May a short-haul driver take two 15-hour on-duty periods in a seven-day period, rather than one 16-hour on-duty period?
No. The 16-hour on-duty exception may not be split.

Won't the 16-hour exception result in additional fatigue?
No. Safety is the agency's top priority. The 16-hour exception deals primarily with short-haul trucking operations in a common sense, accountable manner. The 16-hour exception takes into consideration legitimate business needs without jeopardizing safety. Short-haul operations typically spend more time performing on-duty, non-driving activities, than do long-haul operations, thus the extra hours result in significant improvements in efficiency. The one 16-hour on-duty period also allows carriers an opportunity to provide in-service training and education without impacting employee productivity. FMCSA estimates that without the extra 2 on-duty hours, the industry would be required to hire at least 48,000 new drivers. The agency believes this would actually worsen crash-reduction benefits.

What is a "duty tour" as the term is used in § 395.1(o)? May a driver work a 16-hour extended day after having been off-duty for 34 consecutive hours? Must a driver comply with the 5-duty tour provision prior to a 34-hour off-duty period?
The 16-hour exemption in § 395.1(o) is designed for one day "duty tours." The duty tour is the interval between the time a driver comes on duty and is released from duty on a daily basis. This period begins and ends at the driver's normal work reporting location and may only be used following 10 or more consecutive hours off duty, 10 or more consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, or a combination of 10 or more consecutive hours off-duty and sleeper berth time.

The 16-hour exemption may be used as long as the driver has not used it within the previous 6 consecutive days, except when the driver has begun a new 7- or 8-consecutive day period with the beginning of any off duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours. The driver must return to the normal work reporting location and be released from duty at that location for the previous 5 duty tours the driver has worked, regardless of whether or not the 34-hour restart provision is being used.

If a driver is "on duty, not driving" during the 15th and 16th hour of his duty tour and does not drive after that, has he used the 16-hour exception in 395.1(o)?
No. Example: If a driver was on duty 16 hours on Wednesday, but didn't drive after being on duty 14 hours, could he use the 16 hour extension on Friday and be allowed to drive after the 14th hour as long as all other conditions and regulations (11-, 16-, and 60/70- hour rules) were met? In this scenario, the driver may choose to use the 16-hour extension on Friday as long as the driver meets all of the requirements for the 16-hour exception outlined in 395.1(o) and also remains in compliance with 395.3(a)(1) and 395.3(b). Although the 16 hours on duty on Wednesday will count toward the driver's 60/70 calculations, the driver has not utilized the 16-hour exception unless the driver has actually driven after the 14th hour.

May driver having more than one "normal" work reporting location use 395.1(o) "short-haul 16 hr exception"?
As stated in 395.1(o) and current 395.1 Interpretation Question 15, a driver having more than one "normal" work reporting location could use the 395.1(o) 16-hour exception; however, its availability would be limited by the requirement of 395.1(o)(1) that the "carrier released the driver from duty at that location for the previous five duty tours the driver has worked?" Assuming the driver's normal duty tour is on a daily cycle, a driver alternating between two normal work locations on a weekly basis would not be able to utilize the exception unless he worked six days per week, and then the exception could only be used on the sixth day.

34-HOUR RESTART

Does 34 consecutive hours off duty automatically restart the calculation of the 60/70-hour on-duty period?
A driver may restart the 60/70-hour period by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty provided at the beginning of the 34-hour period, the driver has not accumulated more than 60 or 70 on-duty hours in the 7 or 8 consecutive day period. If a driver has exceeded the 60/70-hour on-duty limit, the driver may not utilize the 34-hour restart and must continue to operate under the provisions of section 395.3(b) to calculate the hours available under the 60/70-hour time limit. This would continue until the driver ends a 24 hour period under the 60/70-hour time limit. Time spent to gain compliance with the 60/70-hour limitation may not be counted as part of a 34-hour re-start period. As soon as the driver ends a 24-hour period under the 60/70-hour limit, the driver has the option of either using any available time to drive up to the 60/70-hour limit and then beginning the 34-hour period, or remaining off duty for an additional 34-hour which would then restart the 7- or 8- day period.

If a driver works at another job, unrelated to trucking, during his 34-hour off-duty restart period, and then begins a duty shift for the trucking company, does the 34-hour restart provision apply?
No. Performing compensated work for a person not a motor carrier is considered on-duty time.

If a driver must take one or more days off to get into compliance with 60-/70-hour requirement, can that same time period be counted toward the 34-hour restart?
No. Time spent to gain compliance with the 60/70-hour limitation cannot be counted as part of a 34-hour restart period. As soon as the driver ends a 24-hour period under the 60/70 hour time limit, the driver has the option of either using any available time to drive up to the 60/70 hour time limit and then beginning the 34-hour period, or remaining off duty for 34 hours which would then restart the 7- or 8- day clock. Also see question #32.

Is use of the 34-hour restart period mandatory?
No. Use of an off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours to restart the 60/70-hour period is optional. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) do not address business relationship issues between drivers and carriers. The 34-hour provision provides that a driver who has had 34 hours off duty may restart the 60/70-hour period. Any decision by a carrier to require a driver to restart this period after 34 hours off duty is a matter between the driver and carrier.

If a driver is on-call, but has not been called for 34 hours, may those 34 hours be counted as a 34-hour restart?
Yes, provided the carrier has not required the driver to report for work until after the 34-hour period has ended.

SLEEPER BERTHS

May a driver spend part of his 34 hours of consecutive off-duty time in a sleeper berth?
Yes, provided the 34-hour period is consecutive and not broken by on-duty or driving activities.

After 10 hours off duty, a driver has recorded driving time and one or more periods in the sleeper berth, that do not total 10 hours. In this case, how is the 14-hour rule calculated during a roadside inspection?
During a roadside inspection, the 14-hour rule is calculated by including all time (on-duty, off-duty, sleeper berth, and on duty/not driving), except that a single sleeper berth period, in excess of 2 hours, is excluded from this calculation if it may be combined with a subsequent sleeper berth period to achieve 10 hours off-duty and provide driving time when completed. Any sleeper berth periods that cannot be used in combination with a subsequent sleeper berth period to achieve 10 hours off-duty and provide driving time must be counted toward the 14-hour rule.

If there is a violation of the 11 or 14-hour rule before a driver obtains a second sleeper berth period, would the single previous sleeper berth period be used toward the calculation of the 14-hour rule?
No. The time the driver spent in a qualifying sleeper berth is not counted toward determining whether or not the driver is in violation of the 14-hour rule. In this case, a qualifying sleeper berth period is a sleeper berth period of at least 2 hours that when combined with an additional sleeper berth period will result in the driver having legal hours to drive.

Page Last Updated: Tuesday November 06, 2007 09:19 AM