If you’re behind the wheel long enough, you know there’s more to trucking than just changing gears and making miles. One big part of the job that never goes away is understanding and sticking to the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. The FMCSA updates these now and then, and missing a new tweak could mean fines or lost pay. Here’s a breakdown of how things stand for HOS as of August 2025.
Who Has to Follow HOS Rules?
Haul freight across state lines? Running a truck over 10,001 pounds? Transporting groups or hauling hazardous loads? If you nodded to any of these, you’ve got to play by FMCSA’s HOS book.
Key Limits You Need to Know
Just the facts—here’s what sets your clock:
14 Hour Window
Start with 10 hours off, and the next 14 hours are your workday window. During that chunk of time, you can drive, load, unload, check tires, wait for dispatch, you name it. But once you reach 14 hours, no driving until you get another 10-hour break. Coffee stops and quick bites during your shift don’t pause that countdown.
11 Hours Driving
Inside your 14-hour shift, you get a max of 11 hours to actually drive. A simple digital log makes that pretty clear. Pass that number, and you’re out of bounds.
60/70 Hours On Duty
Work 70 hours in 8 days or 60 in 7, if your company doesn’t roll every day? Time for a reset. You’ll need to stand down for 34 hours, off duty, before it starts over. This 34-hour restart is the fastest way to keep things legal.
30 Minute Break Rule
After 8 hours of driving, clock hours, not work hours, you’re required to take a break of at least 30 minutes. It doesn’t matter if you’re fueling, waiting for loading, or catching a catnap, as long as you’re not driving.
Split Sleeper Berth
Sometimes life or dispatch demands some flexibility. You’re allowed to split your 10 hours of rest into two blocks, as long as one is at least 7 hours in the sleeper and the other is 2 hours or more in or out of the sleeper. Those two add up, and if they’re logged right, the split won’t eat into your 14.
Exceptions OTR Pros Actually Use
If you work close to home and return at the end of the shift within a 150-mile radius, you might get away with simpler timekeeping.
Bad weather or surprise traffic? You can add up to 2 extra hours to both your drive time and your 14-hour window for adverse conditions, but only if you truly couldn’t have planned around it.
Emergency orders sometimes trump everything. Always check for active FMCSA waivers if you’re on a relief run or moving essential goods.
Staying Compliant Without the Headaches
Let your ELD do the heavy lifting, but double-check for fat-fingered entries or accidental off-duty taps.
Map breaks and fuel stops to keep from hitting that 8-hour wall.
Take care of your logs as soon as each shift ends; never stash them for the next day.
Make sure you’re up to speed on any new changes. FMCSA’s site posts updates, and most fleet managers brief drivers. The rules really can shift from year to year.
Why It All Matters
Sure, it’s about safety ratings and paperwork, but at the end of the day, HOS compliance is what keeps you safe and sharp and ensures everyone gets home in one piece. One sleepless night or rushed shift isn’t worth a life, yours or anyone else’s.
