HOS Rules Explained: Hours of Service for Truck Drivers (2026)

Hours of Service (HOS) rules decide how long you can legally drive. Here's the property-carrying driver's version in plain English.

The core limits

11-hour driving limit — you may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
14-hour window — you can't drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, even if you take breaks. The clock doesn't pause for meals or fuel.
30-minute break — required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without a 30-minute interruption (off-duty, sleeper, or on-duty-not-driving).
10 hours off — needed to reset your 11- and 14-hour clocks.

The weekly limits

You also can't drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on whether your carrier operates every day of the week. A 34-hour restart (34 consecutive hours off) resets that 60/70-hour clock.

Sleeper-berth split

You can split your 10 hours off using the sleeper berth: pair an 8/2 or 7/3 split (e.g., 8 hours in the sleeper + a separate 2 hours off). Neither qualifying period counts against your 14-hour window.

How an ELD keeps you legal

TruckSpot ELD tracks all of these clocks in real time and warns you before you hit a limit — so violations don't sneak up at a scale or inspection. Drive, shift, cycle and break timers update automatically from engine data.

Track your HOS automatically — start for $1 →

Frequently asked questions

What is the 70-hour rule?

You can't drive after 70 hours on duty in any 8 consecutive days (or 60 hours in 7 days for carriers that don't run every day). A 34-hour restart resets it.

Does the 14-hour clock stop for breaks?

No. The 14-hour driving window runs continuously from when you go on duty — breaks and fuel stops don't pause it. Only 10 hours off resets it.

Do I have to take the 30-minute break off duty?

It can be any non-driving status — off duty, sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving — as long as it's at least 30 minutes after 8 cumulative hours of driving.