Federal regulations in the United States dictate the maximum driving time for commercial truck drivers to ensure safety and manage driver fatigue. These regulations are commonly referred to as the Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules. A driver’s allowed driving time is typically based on a 14-hour window, within which a maximum of 11 hours can be spent driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. There are also stipulations regarding rest breaks and mandatory off-duty periods within a given week.
Regulations governing driver hours are critical for highway safety, aiming to reduce accidents caused by driver fatigue. These rules help maintain a balance between timely freight deliveries and the well-being of drivers, recognizing the demanding nature of long-haul trucking. The evolution of these regulations reflects an ongoing effort to improve safety standards and adapt to the changing landscape of the trucking industry, historically responding to documented incidents and evolving scientific understanding of fatigue.
