HOS — Hours of Service Rules for CMV Drivers | Glossary

Compliance & Regulations ← Back to Glossary

HOS (Hours of Service)

FMCSA regulations limiting driving and on-duty time for commercial motor vehicle operators to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

Key Facts

11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty
14-hour on-duty window from coming on duty
30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving
60/70-hour weekly limits with 34-hour restart option

Hours of Service rules (49 CFR Part 395) limit CMV drivers to: 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour window after coming on duty, and with a required 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. The 60/70-hour limit caps on-duty time over 7/8 consecutive days. The 34-hour restart provision allows drivers to reset their weekly clock. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are required for most CMV drivers to automatically record HOS compliance.

CMV Driver Credentials Compared

Licenses, certificates, and registrations required for commercial motor vehicle operators.

Type	Issued By	Purpose	Validity Period	Required For
CDL	State DMV	License to operate CMVs	Per state renewal cycle	Vehicles > 26,001 lbs / 16+ passengers
MEC (DOT Card)	NRCME examiner	Proof of medical fitness	1–2 years	All CDL holders
NRCME Listing	FMCSA	Certifies medical examiners	10 years	Examiners performing DOT physicals
HOS Compliance	FMCSA / ELD	Tracks driving/on-duty time	Continuous	Most CMV drivers

Related Services

DOT Physical Examination

Related Industries

Transportation

Hospitality Help: Ensuring Compliance During Rapid Onboarding and High Turnover

In high-turnover industries like hospitality, rapid onboarding presents unique challenges for maintaining health compliance. This white paper explores essential compliance areas-like health screeni...

What HR Professionals in Critical Access Hospitals Need to Know

In a constantly evolving healthcare ecosystem, one thing has remained unchanged - the need for healthcare professionals to complete specific clearances before starting employment and maintaining th...

OSHA Proposed Rule: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in the Workplace

OSHA advanced a proposed rule requiring employers to develop and implement heat injury and illness prevention plans, provide drinking water, rest breaks, and shade or cool-down areas, implement acclim