Truck Driver Hours: What OTR Drivers Need to Know

While many truck drivers just want to hit the road, learning how to manage your business can pay off in the long run. So, how many hours can a truck driver drive? How do you log your truck driver hours? Rechtien International Trucks is here to help. Find out what you need to know about your time on the Ft. Lauderdale roads, and be sure to contact us for more truck driving tips along the way.

How Many Hours Can a Truck Driver Drive?

How many hours a day can a truck driver drive? Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations state that a truck driver can drive 11 hours before taking a required 10-hour break. Drivers must also log their truck driver hours. Most trucks, including brands like International, will log your hours automatically as you navigate Riviera Beach and Ft. Pierce. However, it’s a good idea to keep a backup. You can jot down your truck driver hours in a notebook or make digital logs on your phone or computer.

Your hours will fall into several categories:

• Off-Duty: This means you’re not working. Examples include regular breaks, meal time, being at home, etc. If you’re driving your truck for personal transportation, this is off-duty as well.
• Sleeper Berth: This term refers to your sleeping hours.
• Driving: These are the hours that you are operating your commercial motor vehicle (CMV), whether driving down the highways or sitting in traffic.
• On-Duty Not Driving: This includes all activities related to work that don’t include driving, which includes loading your truck and going through training.

What Are DOT Hours of Service?

An important part of truck-driver hours of service is understanding the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates. DOT hours of service regulations pertain to federal regulations of on-duty time for truck drivers. The DOT website states that “all carriers and drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must comply with HOS regulations found in 49 CFR 395.”

The most recent changes to DOT hours of service regulations went into effect on September 29, 2020. Here are the modified regulations:

• The short-haul exception now covers 150 air miles and accommodates a 14-hour work shift as part of the exception.
• The driving window during adverse weather conditions has been expanded by up to 2 additional hours.
• You are required to take at least 30 minutes of consecutive break time after 8 cumulative hours of driving time. In addition, an on-duty/not-driving period can qualify as a mandatory break.
• If you have a sleeper berth, you can combine at least 7 hours in the berth plus at least 2 hours of a non-driving period inside or outside the berth for a total of at least 10 hours to satisfy off-duty requirements. When these two periods are used in conjunction in compliance with federal law, neither period qualifies against your 14-hour driving window.

What Else Should I Know About Truck Driver Hours?

We’ve answered the question, “How many hours a day can a truck driver drive?” There are also a number of exceptions to keep in mind. Here are some additional Hours of Service rules:

• 11-Hour Rule— Drivers can work for no more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
• 14-Hour Rule— After coming back on duty, a driver cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour and they must take a 10-hour break.
• 30-Minute Break Rule— A driver must take one 30-minute break every eight hours of driving time.
• 70-Hour Rule— A driver may not drive more than 70 hours in any eight consecutive days. To reset the 70-hour clock, the driver must take a 34-hour rest.
• 10-HourBreak— The 10-hour break must be consecutive hours in off-duty status, which may also be spent in the sleeper berth.
• 7 and 3 Split/Split Sleeper Rule— Depending on the carrier, some drivers are able to split the 10-hour break into two segments of around 7 hours and around 3 hours.
• Emergency Declarations: In the case of federal or state emergencies, drivers are allowed to complete runs.
• Adverse Weather: When working up to 2 hours in adverse weather conditions, drivers can extend the maximum driving and the maximum workday limit.
• Limited Access Lot: Driving in a limited-access lot or yard can be considered on-duty not driving rather than driving.
• Air Mile Radius: Those who operate within a 150 air-mile radius and report 14 hours or less of driving can report hours on a daily basis.

Learn More with Rechtien International Trucks

Want to know more about logging your truck driver hours? Looking for a new rig to make your travels easier? Visit Rechtien International Trucks in or just contact us online! We’d be happy to help you with your next big trip.