The main limits for property-carrying drivers
49 CFR 395.3 sets these core rules:
- 10 hours off: a driver may not drive without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 11-hour driving limit: a driver may drive a total of 11 hours after those 10 hours off.
- 14-hour window: a driver may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 30-minute break: driving is not permitted if more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without at least a 30-minute interruption, with exceptions for certain short-haul drivers.
- 60/70-hour limit: no driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days if the carrier operates every day of the week.
- 34-hour restart: a 7 or 8 day period may end with an off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.
Passenger carriers follow different limits in 49 CFR 395.5, and there are exceptions such as short-haul and adverse driving conditions.
How drivers record hours
Most drivers record duty status on an electronic logging device. See ELD.
Why hours of service matter to repair shops
Downtime eats into a driver's window. A truck waiting four hours for a roadside repair may leave the driver unable to finish the load legally. That is one reason fleets value fast response, accurate time estimates and clear updates, and why mobile service is in demand. Time a driver spends waiting at a shop while on duty also counts toward the 14-hour window and weekly limits.
Related: MetaFleet dispatch; get a walkthrough.