Quick Answer
Truck drivers can legally drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour workday window. Drivers cannot exceed 60 hours on duty in 7 days (or 70 hours in 8 days for carriers operating 7 days per week).
Daily Driving Limits Explained
The 11-Hour Driving Limit
The Department of Transportation sets the maximum driving time at 11 hours. This is actual driving time - when the truck is in motion and you're behind the wheel. It doesn't reset if you take short breaks; once you've driven 11 hours, you must take 10 consecutive hours off before driving again.
Important distinction: This is different from your on-duty time. You might only drive 8 hours but still hit your 14-hour on-duty limit due to loading, unloading, and other work activities.
The 14-Hour On-Duty Window
Think of this as your workday clock. Once you start your day (go on-duty), you have 14 hours to complete all driving. After 14 hours, you cannot drive again until you've taken 10 consecutive hours off.
This clock doesn't stop for anything except certain qualifying rest breaks. Stuck at a shipper for 4 hours? That time still counts against your 14.
The 30-Minute Break Requirement
Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time. This break can be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes - on-duty not driving, off-duty, or sleeper berth time all count.
Changed in 2020: The break is now only required after 8 hours of actual driving, not just 8 hours on-duty.
Weekly Driving Limits
60/70 Hour Rules
Beyond daily limits, drivers face weekly caps:
- 60-hour/7-day rule: Cannot drive after 60 hours on-duty in 7 consecutive days
- 70-hour/8-day rule: Cannot drive after 70 hours on-duty in 8 consecutive days
Which rule applies depends on whether your carrier operates vehicles every day of the week.
The 34-Hour Restart
Drivers can reset their weekly clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off-duty. This gives you a fresh 60 or 70 hours to work with. There are no restrictions on when or how often you can use the 34-hour restart.
Special Circumstances and Exceptions
Adverse Driving Conditions
Drivers can extend the 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour window by up to 2 hours when encountering adverse driving conditions - but only if the adverse conditions were unexpected when the trip began.
Qualifying conditions:
- Snow or ice not forecast
- Unexpected fog
- Unexpected road closures
- Unusual traffic delays from accidents
Not qualifying:
- Traffic during rush hour
- Construction zones you knew about
- Weather that was forecast
16-Hour Short-Haul Exception
Once per week (or after a 34-hour restart), property-carrying drivers can extend their 14-hour window to 16 hours. Requirements:
- Must return to normal work reporting location
- Must be released from duty within 16 hours
- Cannot use this exception until after a 34-hour restart or if used in the previous 6 days
Agricultural Exemptions
Agricultural commodity transporters have special rules:
- 150 air-mile exemption from source during harvest season
- Hours don't count against HOS limits within this radius
- Empty return trips must comply with standard HOS
How ELDs Track Your Hours
Electronic Logging Devices automatically track:
- Drive time: Starts when vehicle exceeds 5 mph
- On-duty time: Must be manually selected
- Location: Recorded every 60 minutes while driving
- Engine hours: Total time engine is running
The ELD won't let you drive once you've reached your limits. No more "just 10 more miles" - when you're out of hours, you're done.
Common Violations and How to Avoid Them
Top 3 HOS Violations
-
Driving beyond 11-hour limit (32.6% of HOS violations)
- Prevention: Plan routes with realistic time buffers
- Fine range: $1,000-$11,000 depending on severity
-
Exceeding 14-hour rule (21.8% of violations)
- Prevention: Account for loading/unloading delays
- Consider: Using split sleeper berth provisions
-
Missing 30-minute break (8.2% of violations)
- Prevention: Set alerts at 7.5 hours of driving
- Remember: Any non-driving status counts
State-Specific Variations
While federal rules apply to interstate commerce, some states have additional requirements:
- California: Additional meal and rest break requirements for some drivers
- Texas: Specific rules for oilfield operations
- Alaska: Extended driving windows due to unique conditions
- Hawaii: Exempt from federal HOS rules (intrastate only)
Always check state requirements when operating intrastate.
Planning Your Drive Time
Realistic Daily Mileage
At legal speeds, expect:
- Highway driving: 550-650 miles in 11 hours
- Mixed driving: 450-550 miles
- City/local: 300-400 miles
Factor in:
- Speed limits (many trucks governed at 65-68 mph)
- Fuel stops (30-45 minutes)
- Weigh stations and inspections
- Traffic patterns on your route
- Weather conditions
Managing Your 70-Hour Clock
Smart drivers manage their weekly hours:
- Avoid maxing out daily: Running 11 hours daily burns through weekly hours
- Strategic restart timing: Plan 34-hour resets during home time
- Recap hours: Understand how rolling 8-day calculations work
Technology and Compliance Tools
ELD Features That Help
- Hours remaining display: Shows drive time and on-duty time left
- Violation alerts: Warns before you violate HOS rules
- Predictive alerts: Some ELDs predict violations based on route
- Split sleeper calculator: Helps plan complex rest breaks
Useful Planning Apps
- Trucker Path: Find parking before hours expire
- DAT Trucker: Load planning with HOS consideration
- Samsara Driver: Advanced HOS tracking and predictions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can team drivers drive more hours?
No, each driver is limited to the same 11-hour driving limit. However, teams can keep the truck moving nearly 24/7 by alternating shifts, with one driving while the other uses the sleeper berth.
What happens if I violate HOS rules?
Consequences include:
- Roadside shutdown (can't drive for 10 hours)
- Fines ranging from $1,000 to $16,000
- Points on CSA score
- Possible impact on employment
- Increased carrier insurance rates
Do local drivers have different hours limits?
Local drivers operating within 150 air-miles may qualify for the short-haul exception, eliminating the need for ELDs but still requiring time records and compliance with hours limits.
Can I drive after being on-duty for 14 hours?
No. After 14 consecutive hours from when you first went on-duty, you cannot drive again until you've had 10 consecutive hours off-duty, regardless of how much actual driving you've done.
Key Takeaways
- Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 hours off
- All driving must occur within 14-hour window
- 30-minute break required after 8 hours driving
- Weekly limits of 60/70 hours prevent consecutive long days
- ELDs enforce these rules automatically
- Violations carry serious financial and career consequences
Understanding and planning around these limits isn't just about compliance - it's about safety, career longevity, and profitability. Whether you're using paper logs or an ELD, these rules determine how much revenue you can generate while staying legal.
For help selecting an ELD that makes hours tracking easier, check our ELD comparison tool or browse DOT-approved devices.