During truck driver training, one of the important topics that you’ll learn about is the HOS Rules, or Hours-of-Service regulations. These are rules that every driver must follow once they receive their CDL. These hours of service refer to the duration for which someone can safely drive, the frequency of required breaks, and the structure of those break periods. During your training, you’ll learn not only the details of these rules, but also why they’re so important.
What are the HOS Rules?
The Hour-of-Service rules were created almost 90 years ago by an organization called the Interstate Commerce Commission. Lawmakers developed these rules to create a better work environment for professional truck drivers and others on the road. The goal of the HOS rules was to manage concerns about public safety on the road. Over the years, they’ve evolved into a list of rules for professional truck drivers to work, take breaks, and create a safer behind-the-wheel experience. This includes short-haul exceptions, adverse driving condition exceptions, break requirements, and sleeper berth provisions. Let’s talk about what each of those means.
Short-Haul Exception
The short-haul exception is the radius of nautical miles in which a driver can travel without needing to keep a detailed log. This was put in place to make it easier for drivers who operate within a limited radius, as well as to relieve administrative burden.
Scenario
Marc works for a local grocery store to deliver goods from a warehouse to the stores nearby. Since the trips are within a 100-mile radius, the driver can return home each night, and they don’t need a detailed logbook for their trips. Due to the short distance, Marc complies with the short-haul exception.
Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
This particular exception refers to instances of unforeseen road hazards or weather conditions. The adverse driving conditions exception gives drivers an additional two hours when they face delays. Whether it’s a summer storm or accumulating snow, drivers have the flexibility to safely reach their destination or stopping point when they’re met with unexpected circumstances.
Scenario
Maria is hauling produce from Fresno to Nevada. While traveling to her destination, a snowstorm hits Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains, bringing traffic to a stop. Maria would normally run out of driving time; however, the Adverse Driving Conditions Exception gives her an extra two hours to safely reach a rest area during hazardous weather.
Break Requirements
Like with any other career, taking breaks is a requirement to prevent burnout. The break requirements for professional truck drivers state that they need to take at least 30 minutes of downtime after 8 hours of driving. This allows truck drivers a period of time where the driver is on-duty but not driving to qualify as the required break. The flexibility provided by these break requirements allows truck drivers, as well as others on the road, to travel the roads safely.
Scenario
Victor has been driving for 8 hours, delivering a cargo from Bakersfield to Phoenix, before he pulls into a truck stop. He decides to stretch his legs, grab a meal, and make calls to home during his 30-minute break. This helps Victor prevent fatigue and allows him time to rest before continuing his remaining drive. This break requirement also allows him to remain in compliance with his Hours of Service Rules.
Sleeper Berth Provisions
The sleeper berth, a dedicated sleeping space in the cab of a commercial truck, has been an important addition to the truck driver’s amenities over the years. This rule allows drivers to split their off-duty time between the sleeper berth and outside the truck. This is generally split their time by spending 8 hours in the berth and 2 hours outside, or 7 hours in the berth and 3 hours outside. This gives the driver more freedom with their downtime.
Scenario
Ashley and Johnathon, a married couple who are also team drivers, are moving freight from Florida to Louisiana. During the delivery, Ashley takes the wheel while Johnathon rests in the sleeper berth. This allows them to split their off-duty time – Johnathon can log 7 hours in the sleeper, followed by 3 hours outside of the truck at a rest area. This allows them to flexibly split their time to keep freight moving while they both remain compliant and well-rested.
Why do the HOS Rules Matter to New Truck Drivers?
As mentioned previously in the blog, the HOS rules were built into the truck driving profession to ensure safety. Whether it’s the well-being of the driver or the others on the road, ensuring that there are regulations to make the roads safer is a high priority. Creating these regulations that have drivers taking frequent breaks is a big part of highway safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, strives to eliminate as many fatigue-related accidents as possible, which is why these rules are in place.
They were also put in place due to the ever-evolving workplace expectations. The Department of Transportation has worked to ensure that professional truck drivers experience flexibility with their careers. Allowing drivers ample opportunity to take their once-a-week 34-hour break has allowed them to fully reset their schedule.
Technological advancements have also impacted the truck driving industry’s regulations. With the adoption of electronic logging devices, or ELDs, drivers were able to automatically track their hours of service. This includes their time driving, ensuring they remain compliant with these regulations. To learn more about ELDs and the rules surrounding them, this FMCSA article can answer your questions.
Regulators have expanded truck drivers’ flexibility over almost 90 years of evolving rules. Creating regulations to allow for longer breaks, as well as the ability to divide breaks between in-cab and off-duty time, has given truck drivers more freedom.
At Advanced Career Institute, we focus on training qualified CDL drivers who are employable and safe. The truck driving industry is a high-demand industry, and these Hours of Service rules have become part of the job over the years.
If you think that the life of a truck driver is for you, let us help you take the first step!
