For CDL drivers, understanding daily driving limits is crucial for safety and compliance. So, how many hours can a CDL driver drive a day? According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, within a 14-hour driving window limit, CDL drivers must not work exceeding 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. These rules are issued to ensure that drivers stay alert and awake while driving; however, there are still detailed regulations and some special cases as well as exceptions are awaiting to be discovered. Scrolling down and checking it out!
How many hours can a CDL driver drive in a day?
According to the Hours of Service (HOS) administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a CDL driver can typically drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour workday, after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Here’s the details of the hours-of-service rules that apply.
14-Hour Driving Window
The 14-hour driving window is the maximum time a commercial driver can be on duty in a day. This window is often referred to as a “limit” though it is not tied to a 24-hour cycle. After being off-duty for 10 or more consecutive hours, you are allowed a 14-hour consecutive period to drive for up to 11 hours. Once the 14-hour window ends, you can not drive again until you have had enough 10 consecutive hours off-duty, or an equivalent rest period.
For example, if a driver starts at 7:00 a.m., they must stop all on-duty activities by 9:00 p.m.
It is worth noting that the 14-hour driving window is the total on-duty period within which all work, including driving, must be completed; and even if you take breaks, such as for lunch or a nap, the 14-hour clock will continue to be counted.
11-Hour Driving Limit
Within the 14-hour driving window discussed above, you are allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 total hours. A driver can use up to 11 hours of driving time within the 14-hour period, but driving is prohibited if more than 8 hours have passed since the last off-duty or sleeper-berth break of at least 30 minutes. Once you have reached the 11-hour driving limit, you must take another 10 consecutive hours off-duty (or an equivalent rest period) before you can drive again.
Thirty-Minute Rest Break
To maintain safety on the road, Commercial Driver’s License drivers are required to take a 30-minute rest break after 8 hours of driving. The break must be taken off-duty, in a sleeper berth, or as a non-driving task.
The purpose of this rule is to reduce driver fatigue and encourage alertness during shifts. Without this mandatory break, drivers can not continue operating their vehicle beyond 8 hours.
60/70-Hour Duty Limit
In addition to the previously mentioned limits, there is also the 60/70-hour limit, which is based on a 7 or 8-day cycle and starts at the time set by your motor carrier for the beginning of each 24-hour period.
Specifically, according to the FMCSA’s HOS regulation, you must adhere to one of these two limits:
- If your company does not operate vehicles every day of the week, you can not drive a commercial motor vehicle after being on duty for 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days. Once you hit the 60-hour limit, you must wait until your total hours drop below 60 within a 7-day span before you can drive again.
- In case your company operates vehicles every day, you may follow the 70-hour/8-day rule. This means that you are not allowed to drive after being on duty for 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days. Once you reach the 70-hour limit, you must wait until your total hours drop below 70 in an 8-day period before resuming driving.
34-Hour Restart
The hours-of-service rules allow drivers to reset their 60 or 70-hour duty limits by taking at least 34 consecutives hours off-duty, either in the sleeper berth, off-duty, or a combination of both. This reset gives drivers a fresh 60 or 70 hours after completing the 34-hour rest period. A valid 34-hour restart resets a driver’s weekly hours to zero. Even if a driver hits the 60/7 or 70/8-hour limit, they can still perform other tasks like loading, uploading, or paperwork but are not allowed to legally drive a commercial motor vehicle until the limit is reset.
It is important to note that the 34-hour restart is optional, not required.
Special cases and Exceptions
Besides strict regulations regarding hours of service rules, there are still some exceptions that the FMCSA recognizes.
- Adverse driving conditions exception: If unexpected adverse driving conditions emerge, CDL drivers are allowed the maximum daily driving time from 11 hours to 13 hours. Adverse conditions refer to unforeseen circumstances that slow down driving, including: snow, fog, heavy traffic due to an accident. In addition, you should keep in mind that the exception does not cover predictable issues like rush hour traffic jams.
- Short-haul exception: Applies to drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius and returning to their work location within 14 hours. These drivers are exempt from recording hours using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and taking a 30-minute break.
- 16-hour short-haul exception: If you typically return to your work-report location and come back home at the end of the day, you are able to use the 16-hour short-haul exception. This exception allows you to extend the 14-hour driving window to 16 hours once every 7 consecutive days.
- Sleeper berth: Drivers can split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two segments (one at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth, and the other at least 2 hours). Neither rest period counts against the 14-hour duty window.
What are the punishments for violating the HOS rule?
Violating Hours of Service (HOS) regulations can lead to several penalties for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and their employers.
Potential consequences of violating HOS regulations include:
- Roadside shutdown: Drivers may be subject to an instant roadside shutdown until they accrue enough off-duty time to meet compliance requirements.
- Fines: There may be fines levied by state and municipal law enforcement.
- FMCSA civil penalties: Depending on the seriousness of the infraction, the FMCSA may impose civil penalties of $1,000 to $16,000 per violation.
- Carrier safety rating downgrade: If a carrier has a history of infractions, their safety rating may be reduced.
- Federal criminal penalties: Drivers who willfully break rules may face federal criminal penalties, as well as carriers who permit or demand infractions.
FAQs
1. What is the most hours a CDL driver can drive?
According to the Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, a CDL driver can drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
2. What happens if you exceed your 14-hour clock?
If a driver exceeds the 14-hour limit, they are not legally allowed to continue driving.
3. What is the longest a trucker can drive?
A trucker can drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty period after taking a 10-hour rest break. After this 14-hour window, driving is prohibited until he gets enough 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
4. How does the 14-hour rule work?
The 14-hour rule states that a driver há a 14-hour on-duty window after coming on duty, during which they can drive up to 11 hours. The clock starts once they begin work, and no driving is allowed after 14 hours.
5. How do you extend the 14-hour rule?
The 14-hour rule can be extended by up to 2 hours using the “adverse driving conditions” exception, which allows additional driving time when facing unforeseen weather or road issues.
6. How many hours can a local CDL driver work?
A local CDL driver, who operates within a 150-air-mile radius, can work up to 12 hours a day under the short-haul exemption. These drivers are exempt from the 14-hour rule but must take 10 consecutive hours off-duty between shifts.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created the Hours of Service to ensure safety not only for CDL drivers themselves but also everyone on the road. Brief answer to the question “How many hours can a CDL driver drive in a day” is that a CDL driver can drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour workday, following 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Should something be confusing, do not hesitate to leave questions below for further discussion.
