Exceptions and special circumstances

There are a few exceptions and special circumstances that may impact or change standard HOS limits. These include the following:

Adverse driving conditions: Property-carrying drivers are allowed to extend the 11-hour maximum driving limit and 14-hour driving window by up to 2 hours when they encounter adverse driving conditions. Passenger-carrying drivers are allowed to extend the 10-hour maximum driving time and 15-hour on-duty limit by up to 2 hours when they encounter adverse driving conditions.
Short-haul exceptions: Both property-carrying drivers and passenger-carrying drivers are exempt from the above requirements if the driver operates within a 150 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location, and the driver doesn’t exceed a maximum duty period of 14 hours. Drivers using the short-haul exception must report and return to the normal work reporting location within 14 consecutive hours and must stay within a 150 air-mile radius of the work reporting location.

Recent changes and updates to HOS rules

Beginning in September 2020, motor carriers have been required to comply with four provisions of HOS regulations. These are:

Short-haul exception: This provision amendment expanded the short-haul exception from 100 air-miles to 150 air-miles. There’s also a new 14-hour rule for truck drivers, which allows a 14-hour work shift to take place, increased from the previous 12-hour work shift.

Adverse driving conditions exception: This provision amendment expanded the driving window during adverse driving conditions by up to an additional 2 hours.

30-minute break requirement: This provision amendment changed the break requirement of at least 30 consecutive minutes to after 8 cumulative hours of driving time, instead of on-duty time. The amendment also allowed a not driving/on-duty period to qualify as the required break.

Sleeper berth provision: This provision modified the sleeper berth exception to allow a driver to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7 hours of that period in the berth, combined with a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent outside or inside the berth, as long as both periods total 10 hours or more. Neither qualifying period counts against the 14-hour driving window when they’re used together as specified.

Importance of HOS compliance

What is HOS compliance? It’s following the HOS rules set forth by the FMCSA. Drivers, and the organizations they belong to, will violate roadside safety regulations when they don’t follow HOS rules. This can result in costly fines and required monitoring by the FMCSA. It may even cause diminished business reputation and potentially lost clients.

For drivers who violate HOS rules, they could be terminated or face other consequences for their actions. FMCSA HOS rule violations could also lead to safety incidents, lawsuits and other issues for both drivers and organizations.

Safety implications of HOS rules

HOS rules are in place to keep drivers on the road safe, as well as passengers and the other cars. HOS rules are designed to reduce driver fatigue, so truck drivers can stay alert and minimize accident risk.

Regulatory consequences for non-compliance

When an organization’s or driver’s action results in Hours of Service compliance basic violations, regulatory consequences can include penalties and fines. According to Hours of Service rules legal experts, truck drivers can face fines ranging from $1,000 to more than $16,000, depending on the violation’s severity. In extreme cases, a truck driver’s commercial driver’s license could be revoked.

HOS violations can also negatively affect carrier safety ratings. This can impact an organization’s ability to solicit and retain business, which can negatively impact all employees and overall customer sentiment.

Navigating HOS rules effectively

Tips for truck drivers

For truck drivers, complying with HOS rules results in increased safety for them and others on the road. To ensure compliance while also optimizing drive time, it’s important to plan routes and schedules to include breaks that adhere to HOS regulations. With a plan in place, you’ll understand how long and how many miles you can drive before you take a break from behind the wheel.

It's also important to keep accurate, detailed records of your drive time. Electronic logging devices that connect to a vehicle make it easy to record time accurately, so you have precise logs that can help prevent HOS violations and fines. Electronic logging devices track time for you and provide clear visibility into drive time, so you can prove compliance and avoid violations.

Guidelines for industry stakeholders

HOS rules are an essential component of training programs for drivers and fleet managers. Truck drivers must learn why HOS regulations matter and learn how to stay in compliance.

Implementing effective compliance management systems, such as through the use of electronic logging devices, can also help. Safety is of the utmost importance for your drivers and your organization, so HOS rules must be emphasized throughout training and employee management.

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HOS Rules: How Many Hours Can Truck Drivers Drive?

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