FMCSA Hours of Service Requirements: Complete 2025 HOS Rules Guide

By CarrierLens Compliance Team • Last updated: 2025-04-01

Hours of service (HOS) rules are the federal regulations that limit how many hours a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver may drive and be on duty each day and week. Governed by 49 CFR Part 395, HOS rules are enforced at roadside inspections and contribute to the Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC in the FMCSA Safety Measurement System. HOS violations are among the most common reasons drivers receive out-of-service orders.

The Core HOS Rules for Property-Carrying Drivers

The following rules apply to drivers of property-carrying CMVs (18-wheelers, flatbeds, tankers, dry vans, refrigerated trucks, etc.):

11-Hour Driving Limit

A driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after coming off 10 consecutive hours off duty. This is the total driving time — not on-duty time. The clock starts when the driver comes off 10 consecutive hours off.

14-Hour On-Duty Window

A driver may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming off 10 consecutive hours off duty. This window includes all on-duty time — driving, loading, fueling, inspecting, waiting at a shipper — and cannot be paused. Once the 14-hour window closes, the driver must take 10 consecutive hours off, even if they have unused driving time remaining.

30-Minute Break Requirement

A driver must take a 30-minute break if they have driven for a period of 8 hours without at least a 30-minute interruption from driving. The break can be taken as off duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not-driving status — but the driver must not drive during the 30 minutes.

10-Hour Off-Duty Requirement

A driver must have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new driving window. This resets both the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour window.

60/70-Hour Weekly Limit

A driver may not drive after accumulating:

• 60 hours on duty in any 7 consecutive days (for carriers that do not operate every day of the week), or
• 70 hours on duty in any 8 consecutive days (for carriers that operate every day of the week)

To reset the 60/70-hour clock, a driver must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty (the 34-hour restart). The 34-hour restart may only be used once per week.

Sleeper Berth Provision (§ 395.1(g))

Drivers operating CMVs with sleeper berths may split their required off-duty time using the sleeper berth provision:

• The split must include one period in the sleeper berth of at least 7 consecutive hours
• The other period must be at least 2 consecutive hours (sleeper berth, off duty, or a combination)
• Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window
• The two periods together must total at least 10 hours
• Each qualifying split resets the 11-hour and 14-hour clocks for the next on-duty period

HOS Rules for Passenger-Carrying Drivers

Drivers of passenger-carrying CMVs (buses, vans transporting 9+ passengers for compensation, or 16+ passengers without compensation) follow different HOS limits:

Major HOS Exemptions

Short-Haul Exemption (§ 395.1(e))

Drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location may be exempt from the ELD mandate and the 30-minute break requirement if they:

• Report to the same location and return to that location within 14 hours
• Are released from duty within 14 hours of reporting to duty
• Do not exceed 11 hours of driving time
• Have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty between shifts

Short-haul drivers may use paper records of duty status (RODS) instead of ELDs.

Adverse Driving Conditions (§ 395.1(b))

If a driver encounters unexpected adverse conditions (snow, ice, sleet, fog, accidents, obstructions) after starting the trip, they may extend their driving time by up to 2 additional hours. The total driving time cannot exceed 13 hours and must be documented in the log.

Agricultural Operations (§ 395.1(k))

During planting and harvesting seasons, FMCSA issues annual exemptions for agricultural commodity transport within 150 air miles of the source. These exemptions vary by state — check FMCSA's website for your state's current harvest season window.

Oilfield Operations (§ 395.1(d))

Ready-mix concrete and oilfield operations have specific HOS exemptions allowing drivers to pause the 14-hour window during waiting periods at the well site or plant. Specific conditions apply.

ELD Requirements and HOS Monitoring

Under the ELD mandate (49 CFR Part 395.8), most CDL drivers who are required to maintain records of duty status must use an FMCSA-registered Electronic Logging Device. ELDs automatically record driving time, detect engine movement, and flag unassigned driving. They cannot be altered retroactively.

Violations detected by ELDs during roadside inspections go directly into the FMCSA SMS and raise your Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC score. Common ELD/HOS violations include:

• Unassigned vehicle movement (mileage driven but not assigned to a driver)
• Exceeding the 11-hour driving limit
• Driving after the 14-hour window closes
• Missing or short 30-minute break
• ELD malfunction not properly documented
• Failing to transfer logs to enforcement at a roadside inspection

HOS Violations and CSA Scores

HOS violations are scored in the Hours-of-Service Compliance BASIC of the FMCSA Safety Measurement System. The severity of the violation determines how many points are added to your BASIC score:

How CarrierLens Helps With HOS Compliance

CarrierLens integrates with all major ELD providers — Samsara, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin), Geotab, Verizon Connect, and others — to provide daily HOS monitoring. Our platform reviews your drivers' electronic logs for violations, flags unassigned drive time, and documents corrective actions. This daily review is included in the Premium Monitoring plan and creates a documented record that demonstrates your good-faith compliance effort to FMCSA investigators.