Hours-of-service (HOS) rules decide how long you can drive and work. Knowing them cold protects your license and your paycheck. This is a simplified summary of the federal rules for property-carrying drivers; always follow your ELD, your carrier's policy and the current FMCSA rules.
The main limits
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| 11-hour driving limit | Up to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. |
| 14-hour window | You cannot drive after the 14th hour since coming on duty. Breaks do not extend it (with limited exceptions). |
| 30-minute break | Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving. On-duty, not-driving time can count. |
| 60/70-hour limit | No driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days. |
| 34-hour restart | 34 or more consecutive hours off duty resets the 60/70-hour clock. |
Common traps
- Waiting at a shipper eats your 14. Detention does not stop the clock.
- Logging "off duty" while working is a violation and shows up in inspections.
- Personal conveyance has rules. Ask your carrier before using it.
The sleeper berth option
You can split your 10-hour break into two periods (for example 7/3 or 8/2) if one period is at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth. Pairs that qualify do not count against your 14-hour window. It is useful, but easy to get wrong. Practice it with an experienced driver first.
Why it matters for job choice
Jobs with long waits or tight appointments burn your hours. Local jobs have their own rules (short-haul exceptions), and dedicated jobs often have predictable schedules that make HOS easier to manage.
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