Large trucks are arguably the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Federal and state laws have been passed in an effort to make the trucking industry safer for other road users, including laws regarding how many hours a truck driver is permitted to drive at a time. If the hours of service regulations are ignored, a truck driver will be at a higher risk of driving while drowsy or fatigued.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations?
The federal hours of service regulations for truck drivers are found in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 395. These laws outline driving-time limitations and rules for how often truck drivers must take rest and meal breaks. They impose a maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty to help ensure that drivers remain awake and alert. These regulations are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and apply to both property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers.
Hours of service regulations are important for preventing drowsy driving by truck drivers. Fatigue is a significant issue in the trucking industry due to the demands of the job, which often include hours alone on the road, long drives, overnight shifts and having to sleep in strange places, like the sleeper berth or the side of the road. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving in terms of delayed driver reaction times and inattention. A drowsy truck driver is more likely to break traffic laws and fall asleep behind the wheel.
What Are a Commercial Truck Driver’s Driving Limits?
Truck drivers must adhere to very specific time limits when operating big rigs. Driving outside of these parameters could lead to a citation against the driver and trucking company. Hours of service regulations are subject to change and have been periodically modified by the FMCSA. Currently, the following hours of service limits apply to all commercial truck drivers:
Property-carrying drivers:
- 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Maximum limit of 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- In adverse driving conditions, drivers can extend the 11-hour maximum limit and 14-hour driving window by up to 2 hours.
- Mandatory 30-minute driving break after driving for a period of 8 cumulative hours.
- 60/70-hour driving limit in 7/8 consecutive days.
Passenger-carrying drivers:
- 10-hour driving limit after 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- Maximum limit of 15 consecutive hours after coming on duty, following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- In adverse driving conditions, drivers can extend the 10-hour maximum limit and 15-hour driving window by up to 2 hours.
- 60/70-hour driving limit in 7/8 consecutive days.
The hours of service regulations for truck drivers come with a short-haul exception. This exception states that if the driver is operating within a 150 air-mile radius of his or her normal work location and does not exceed a maximum duty period of 14 hours, he or she is exempt from the requirements of CFR 395.8 and CFR 395.11.
How Can You Prove That a Truck Driver Broke the Hours of Service Regulations?
If you get involved in a truck accident and you believe that the truck driver was drowsy, fatigued or fell asleep behind the wheel, contact a truck accident attorney in Denver at Manning Law to help you with an injury claim. A lawyer can investigate your case to search for evidence of violated hours of service regulations, which may be found in the driver’s logbook or the truck’s black box, to help prove driver fatigue.
