On-duty time includes all time from when you begin work until you are relieved from work, including:

• Driving time: Operating a commercial motor vehicle
• Loading/unloading: Time spent loading, unloading, or supervising
• Inspecting/servicing: Vehicle inspection, servicing, or repair
• Paperwork: Time spent completing logs, bills, or other paperwork
• Waiting: Time spent waiting for dispatch, loading, or repairs (unless in sleeper berth)
• Attending vehicle: Time spent attending a disabled vehicle

Off-duty time includes time spent in the sleeper berth, or any time when you are free from work responsibilities.

Drivers must take a 30-minute break after accumulating 8 hours of driving time without at least a 30-minute interruption.

Key requirements:

• Break must be at least 30 consecutive minutes
• Break can be off-duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty (not driving)
• Break does not need to be logged as off-duty time
• The 8 hours is cumulative driving time, not consecutive hours on duty
• Break must be taken before exceeding 8 hours of driving

Example: If you drive 5 hours, take a 1-hour break, then drive 3 more hours, you would need another 30-minute break before driving further (total driving = 8 hours).

The 34-hour restart allows drivers to reset their weekly 60/70-hour limit after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.

Requirements for a valid restart:

• Must include two periods from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM
• Must be 34 consecutive hours or more
• Can only be used once per 168-hour period (7 days)
• Cannot be used if you’ve already reached 70 hours of driving

How it works: After completing a 34-hour restart, your weekly hour count goes back to zero. This allows you to begin a new 60/70-hour week.

Limitation: The restart provision can only be used once every 168 hours (7 days). Some carriers have additional restrictions.

While most HOS rules are the same, there are key differences between property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers:

• Weekly Limits: Property carriers have 60/70 hour limits (7/8 days), while passenger carriers have 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
• 34-Hour Restart: Available to property carriers but not passenger carriers
• Driving Window: Passenger carriers have no “14-hour clock” – they can drive up to 10 hours within a 15-hour on-duty period
• Sleeper Berth: Both can use sleeper berth, but splits are different (8/2 for property, 8/2 or 10/0 for passenger)

Short-Haul Exception: Property drivers within 150 air-miles of their work reporting location have modified rules, including no ELD requirement if they return to same location within 12 hours.

Always check the specific regulations for your carrier type and any applicable exceptions.

HOS violations can result in significant penalties for both drivers and carriers:

• Fines: $1,000 to $11,000 per violation for carriers, $1,000 to $2,750 for drivers
• CSA Points: Violations impact CSA scores, affecting insurance rates and carrier ratings
• Out-of-Service Orders: Serious violations can result in immediate shutdown for 10+ hours
• Civil Penalties: Up to $11,000 for knowingly allowing or requiring violations
• Criminal Charges: For severe or repeated violations causing accidents

Common violations include:

• Exceeding 11-hour driving limit
• Exceeding 14-hour duty limit
• Failure to take 30-minute break
• Exceeding weekly 60/70-hour limit
• False logs or recordkeeping violations

Proper use of ELDs and regular monitoring can help prevent violations.