CDL Hours of Service Rules: Complete Guide for Drivers

Hours of service (HOS) rules are federal regulations set by the FMCSA that limit how many hours a commercial driver can drive and work in a day and a week. These rules are tested on the CDL General Knowledge exam and must be followed every time you are behind the wheel professionally.

Why Hours of Service Rules Exist

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of large truck accidents. HOS rules are designed to ensure drivers get adequate rest before operating a commercial motor vehicle. Violations can result in fines, being placed out of service, and negative consequences for the carrier’s safety rating.

The Two Sets of Rules — Property vs Passenger

There are two separate HOS rule sets depending on what you are hauling:

Property-carrying drivers — trucks hauling freight, goods, or cargo

Passenger-carrying drivers — bus drivers and other passenger transport

This guide focuses primarily on property-carrying rules, which are tested most heavily on the CDL General Knowledge exam.

Property-Carrying Driver HOS Rules

The 11-Hour Driving Limit

A property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after coming off 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time.

You may not drive beyond the 11-hour limit

The 11-hour clock resets only after 10 consecutive hours off duty

Driving includes any time the vehicle is in motion with you at the wheel

The 14-Hour On-Duty Window

A driver may not drive after the 14th hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

This is the most misunderstood rule. The 14-hour window is a total window — not just driving time. Once your shift starts, you have 14 hours total before you cannot drive again, regardless of how much of that time was spent driving.

Example:

You come on duty at 6:00 AM

Your 14-hour window closes at 8:00 PM

Even if you only drove 6 hours during that window, you cannot drive after 8:00 PM

Off-duty or sleeper berth time during the shift does NOT extend the 14-hour window

The 30-Minute Break Requirement

A driver must take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption.

The break must be non-driving time (off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving)

It does not need to be 30 consecutive minutes of sleep — just 30 minutes off the wheel

The 8-hour driving clock resets after the break

The 10-Hour Off-Duty Requirement

Before a driver can restart their 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour window, they must take 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The 10 hours can be split between:

Off-duty time

Sleeper berth time

A combination of both, as long as one period is at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and the other is at least 2 hours

Weekly Limits — The 60/7 and 70/8 Rules

60-Hour / 7-Day Rule

A driver operating for a carrier that does not operate vehicles every day of the week may not drive after accumulating 60 hours of on-duty time in 7 consecutive days.

70-Hour / 8-Day Rule

A driver operating for a carrier that does operate vehicles every day of the week may not drive after accumulating 70 hours of on-duty time in 8 consecutive days. Most large carriers use the 70/8 rule.

The 34-Hour Restart

A driver can reset their 7-day or 8-day clock by taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. After the restart, the driver begins a fresh 60 or 70-hour cycle.

Sleeper Berth Rules

Drivers with a sleeper berth can split their required off-duty time into two periods:

One period must be at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth

The other period must be at least 2 hours (either off-duty or in the sleeper berth)

Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window

The two periods must total at least 10 hours

The Adverse Driving Conditions Exception

If a driver encounters unexpected adverse driving conditions (snow, ice, fog, accident-related traffic) that were not foreseeable before the trip began, they may drive up to 2 additional hours beyond the normal 11-hour limit to reach a safe stopping point. This exception does not extend the 14-hour window.

Short-Haul Exceptions

Drivers who operate within a 150 air-mile radius of their work reporting location and return to that location within 14 hours may qualify for the short-haul exception, which eliminates the requirement to keep a logbook for qualifying days.

Conditions:

Must start and end the day at the same location

Must not drive after the 14th hour on duty

Must not exceed 11 hours driving

Must have 10 consecutive hours off before the next shift

Logging Requirements

Most CMV drivers subject to HOS rules must maintain a Record of Duty Status (RODS) — commonly called a logbook.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD): As of December 2019, most CMV drivers are required to use an Electronic Logging Device instead of paper logs. ELDs automatically record driving time when the vehicle is in motion.

Duty status categories:

Off Duty

Sleeper Berth

Driving

On Duty (Not Driving)

HOS Violations and Penalties

Driver penalties:

Being placed out of service until the violation is corrected

Civil penalties up to $16,000 per violation

Points against the driver’s safety record (CSA score)

Carrier penalties:

Fines

Reduced safety rating

Increased scrutiny from FMCSA

Quick Reference Summary

Prepare for the CDL Exam

HOS rules appear on the CDL General Knowledge test. Expect questions about the 11-hour limit, the 14-hour window, the 30-minute break, and the 60/7 and 70/8 weekly limits.

Our CDL Practice Tests include full-length practice exams covering HOS rules and all other General Knowledge topics.

For the full CDL licensing process: How to Get Your CDL in New York

For pre-trip inspection requirements: CDL Pre-Trip Inspection: What You Need to Know

Practice Exam Hub is not affiliated with the FMCSA or any government agency. This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. HOS rules are subject to change — always verify current regulations at fmcsa.dot.gov.