The Core HOS Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Limit | Reset Required |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Hour Driving Limit | Max 11 hours driving after 10 hours off duty | 10 consecutive hours off duty |
| 14-Hour On-Duty Window | No driving after 14th consecutive hour on duty | 10 consecutive hours off duty |
| 30-Minute Break | Break required after 8 hours of driving time | 30 min off-driving (on-duty OK) |
| 60/70-Hour Limit | 60 hrs in 7 days OR 70 hrs in 8 days | 34-hour restart (or 60/70 limit reached) |
| 34-Hour Restart | Resets the 60/70-hour clock | Must include two 1–5 AM periods |
| Sleeper Berth (split) | Can split 10 hours: 7+3 or 8+2 combinations | See split berth rules below |
| Source: FMCSA 49 CFR Part 395. Rules apply to CDL drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce. | ||
The 11-Hour and 14-Hour Rules Explained
The 11-Hour Rule: You can drive a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. Once you hit 11 driving hours, you must stop driving until you've had 10 consecutive hours off. The 14-Hour Window: Your entire on-duty period — including driving and non-driving time (loading, fueling, DOT inspections) — cannot exceed 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty. Even if you've only driven 5 hours, if 14 hours have passed since you came on duty, you cannot drive. This is often the rule that catches drivers off-guard. Example: You start your day at 6 AM. At 8 PM (14 hours later), you cannot drive regardless of how many driving hours you've used. You must take 10 consecutive hours off before driving again.
Sleeper Berth Split Rules (Updated 2020, Still Active 2026)
The 2020 FMCSA rule update allows drivers to split the 10-hour off-duty requirement into two segments. Valid combinations: 8 hours in the sleeper berth + 2 hours off duty (or in sleeper berth), or 7 hours in the sleeper berth + 3 hours off duty. Neither period counts against the 14-hour window while the driver is in the sleeper berth. This is especially important for team drivers using the co-driver's rest periods. Important: The 2-hour (or 3-hour) period can be spent off-duty or in the sleeper berth but NOT driving. The 7-hour (or 8-hour) period must be in the sleeper berth.
Adverse Driving Conditions Exemption
If you encounter adverse driving conditions not foreseeable at the start of duty — such as unexpected severe weather, road closures, or traffic delays — you may extend your driving time by up to 2 hours. This extends the 11-hour driving limit to 13 hours and the 14-hour window to 16 hours. This is not a routine extension — it's an emergency provision. Document the conditions in your ELD notes. Do not use this exemption preemptively or for foreseeable delays.
ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Requirements
Since 2019, virtually all CMV drivers operating in interstate commerce must use an FMCSA-registered ELD. ELDs automatically record driving time when the vehicle moves above 5 mph. They cannot be easily falsified and create a verifiable record that DOT inspectors access during roadside inspections. Short-haul exemption: Drivers who operate within 150 air-miles of their work reporting location and return to the same location within 14 hours are exempt from ELD requirements and may use paper logs. This exemption applies to many local and regional drivers.
Puntos Clave
- 11-hour driving limit resets after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- 14-hour window starts from first on-duty moment — includes non-driving time
- Sleeper berth splits (7+3 or 8+2) pause the 14-hour clock while in berth
- Adverse conditions exemption adds up to 2 extra driving hours — document it
- Short-haul drivers within 150 air-miles of home base are exempt from ELD