34 hours = The Law or Optional ?

70 hours in EIGHT days, not seven. On duty time, both driving and working. The 34 hour reset is an option, not required. NOTE: If you run into Canada, they require a 36 hour reset, 34 will not help, but you can drive 13 hours in Canada.

 

If you spend an average 8.75 hours combined on duty and driving, you will never have to take a 34 hour reset.
Here is an example of my current clock.


I have 9 hours and 49 minutes coming back at midnight, plus 1 hour and 3 minutes carried over from today's clock, for a total of 10 hours and 52 minutes. Midnight is based on your Home Terminal time zone, not local time.

 

I manage my own clock. The company does not dictate how I run. All they expect of me is to pick up and deliver on time, safely and legally. There are times when I choose to run out my clock and take a 34 hour reset. There are other times when I choose to run on recaps hours.

 

I might add that I won't go over 9 hours tomorrow. I want to carry a couple of hour over to the next day that only has 6 hours and 47 minutes. It takes a while to learn how to manage your clock. The hours you see in that picture did not happen by accident. I have purposely set them that way. I have been on recaps for almost 3 weeks.

 

Usually depends on what fits your needs.

 

There are some basic misconceptions about the 34-hour restart! First, it's not a legal requirement that a driver stops for 34 hours at any time. I can't find the correct words right now for this part but will just say what I mean. It is ALSO not an option. It simply is! There is no regulatory requirement to take one BUT once you stop for 34 hours your clocks reset AUTOMATICALLY! Most carrier HOS computer systems are set up this way!

 

If you have used up your 70 hour 8 day clock in 5 or 6 days. You can not legally drive again until you have taken 34 consecutive hours off duty.