Truck driver hours of service rules are federal limits on how long commercial drivers can work and drive. They exist because fatigue causes deadly crashes. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) crash research has linked driver fatigue to roughly 13% of large-truck crashes. In 2023, more than 5,400 people died in large-truck crashes across the U.S., according to NHTSA.
The FMCSA Hours of Service Rules Explained
Truck driver hours of service (HOS) rules are federal regulations. They limit how long commercial truck drivers can drive and work before they must rest. They apply to most drivers of large commercial vehicles.
These rules come from the FMCSA. The organization’s goal is simple: keep tired drivers off the road. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so a fatigued trucker is a danger to everyone nearby.
For years, drivers kept paper logbooks that were easy to fake. Since December 2017, the FMCSA has required most drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs). These devices automatically record driving time, which makes hours of service violations much easier to prove after a crash.
Defining the Main Hours of Service Limits
Federal law sets clear limits on driving and on-duty time. Every commercial driver is expected to follow them.
| Rule | The Limit |
|---|---|
| 11-hour driving limit | Up to 11 hours of driving after 10 hours off duty |
| 14-hour window | No driving after the 14th hour on duty (clock cannot be paused) |
| 30-minute break | Required after 8 hours of driving |
| 60/70-hour limit | No driving after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days |
The 14-hour window extends beyond driving; it includes loading, fueling, and waiting. The driver can’t pause the clock for a nap or a long break.
However, the driver can reset the 60- or 70-hour weekly clock. They must take at least 34 hours off duty. Trucks follow different rules than cars, and our article on how truck drivers follow different laws explains more.
How Hours of Service Violations Cause Accidents
When drivers or companies ignore these limits, the results can be deadly. Fatigue affects the body in dangerous ways. Research shows that going without enough sleep can impair a driver much like alcohol does. A fatigued trucker reacts more slowly, drifts out of lanes, and can even fall asleep at the wheel.
Common hours of service violations include:
- Driving past the 11-hour or 14-hour limit
- Skipping the required 30-minute break
- Going over the 60- or 70-hour weekly cap
- Falsifying logs or tampering with an ELD
The FMCSA has linked driver fatigue to a significant share of large-truck crashes, which is exactly why hours of service limits exist.
Sometimes drivers break the rules on their own. Other times, trucking companies push them to meet tight deadlines. Either way, a truck accident caused by a fatigued driver may be the result of a preventable violation.
How Violations Could Help Prove a Truck Accident Claim
If an hours-of-service violation played a role in your crash, it can become powerful evidence. These cases often turn on the driver’s records.
ELDs automatically record a driver’s hours. After a crash, attorneys can request:
- ELD and logbook data
- Dispatch and delivery records
- The driver’s duty status at the time of the crash
- The company’s history of past violations
A violation can also point to the trucking company. If a company pressured a driver to skip breaks or ignored a pattern of violations, it may share responsibility. Acting quickly matters, because some records can be erased or lost over time. Our truck accident attorneys know how to preserve this evidence and use it to build a strong case.
Common Questions About Truck Driver Hours of Service
What are the truck driver hours of service rules?
Truck driver hours of service (HOS) rules are federal limits on how long commercial drivers can drive and work before resting. They include an 11-hour driving limit, a 14-hour on-duty window, a required 30-minute break, and weekly caps of 60 or 70 hours. Their purpose is to prevent fatigue-related crashes or other HOS violations in trucking accidents.
How many hours can a truck driver drive in a day?
Under federal hours of service rules, a truck driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours. But this is only after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. All driving must also happen within a 14-hour on-duty window.
Once the driver reaches either limit, they must stop and take another 10-hour break before driving again. These truck driver drive time limits protect truckers and others on the road.
How many hours can a truck driver drive in a week?
Federal rules cap weekly driving time at 60 hours over 7 days, or 70 hours over 8 days. It depends on the carrier’s schedule. A driver can reset this weekly limit by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off duty, known as a “34-hour restart.” These caps prevent fatigue over multiple days.
How do truck driver hours of service violations affect a claim?
A truck driver hours of service violation can be strong evidence in an accident claim. Electronic logging devices record a driver’s hours automatically, so attorneys can show whether a driver exceeded the legal limits. A violation can point to negligence by the driver, the trucking company, or both. These may strengthen an injured person’s case.
What is an ELD and why does it matter?
An ELD, or electronic logging device, automatically records a commercial driver’s driving time and duty status. The FMCSA has required most drivers to use them since December 2017. ELDs replaced paper logbooks, which were easy to falsify. In a truck accident case, ELD data can prove whether the driver violated hours of service rules.
Trust Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today
A fatigued trucker can change your life in seconds. The evidence is often right there in the driver’s logs. Our firm knows how to uncover hours of service violations and hold trucking companies accountable. Schedule a free case review today.
Reviewed by Alexander Shunnarah, Attorney and Chief Executive Officer at Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys on 2026-08-06.
