It is your responsibility as a truck driver to be aware of and abide by the hours of service rules. The HOS regulations cover how long you may drive and how often you must rest. It will also protect yourself as a truck driver and other drivers on the road.
In this post, we’ll understand:
- What Hours Of Service is
- and what HOS rules must be followed
So without further ado, sit back, relax, and keep reading.
What Does The Hours Of Service Mean?
Commercial drivers are subject to Hours-of-Service (HOS) standards that limit their time on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created these regulations to reduce the number of accidents driven by drivers dozing off behind the wheel.
A lot of people are affected when truck drivers and their sectors disregard Hours of Service (HOS) laws. That said, drivers must be aware of and abide by HOS requirements since their safety depends on it.
The HOS regulations include driving duration, rest times, and weekly limits. Drivers may only spend up to 11 hours behind the wheel on a 14-hour shift.
Truckers should also take additional daily breaks for the thirty-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Comprehending these guidelines is important for abiding by HOS guidelines and guarding drivers on the roadway.
What Are The Hours Of Service For Truck Drivers?
1. Log The Driving Hours
Drivers must keep thorough time logs if they wish to abide by HOS rules. This helps to uphold adherence and prevent violations. You can use paper logs or an ELD to keep track of the hours you’ve worked.
ELDs are becoming more and more common since they make timekeeping easier and make it easier to follow HOS rules. Manually recording hours on paper can be error-prone and time-consuming.
Nonetheless, any modifications to your duty status must be documented as part of your timekeeping. All of the time spent moving, halting, and unwinding needs to be recorded.
Erroneous recording of hours worked may result in hours worked violations and fines. If you maintain thorough records of your work hours, you may be able to better manage your time, make informed scheduling decisions, and guarantee compliance with HOS laws.
2. Complying The Maximum Driving Hours
HOS rules limit drivers’ time on the road to prevent driver exhaustion and boost safety. After eleven hours, they had to take a ten-hour break. These regulations protect pedestrians and drivers from fatigue-related collisions.
The maximum driving time rules require careful planning. Drivers should rest often to stay safe and follow the rules. Having electronic logbooks can help them comply with these rules.
3. Complying With The Weekly Hours Limits
In addition to daily constraints, HOS regulations also set weekly limits on driving time. The maximum number of driving hours per week is 60 for a seven-day workweek and 70 for an eight-day workweek. When this threshold is reached, drivers have to take a minimum of a 34-hour break before beginning a new workweek.
To abide by these rules, drivers must carefully plan their schedules and manage their time. This entails taking frequent breaks and putting in the majority of the weekly allotted overtime. Weekly restrictions must be followed to lessen driver fatigue and improve road safety for all users.
4. Punishments Of HOS Infractions
Everyone suffers when drivers and their employers violate HOS laws. The FMCSA is responsible for enforcing the HOS laws and conducting inspections to ensure adherence.
Infractions may result in warnings, fines, or possibly license suspensions. In severe circumstances of persistent violations, a driver’s commercial license (CDL) from permits for trucking companies may be canceled.
Conclusion
HOS rules protect road users from fatigued drivers. Truckers must learn and follow these rules. To keep drivers safe, track your hours, take frequent breaks, and use technology to comply with HOS regulations.
