14-hour rule: Truckers are not allowed to drive past the 14th hour of service on a single day of work under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours of Service (HOS) rules. The rule is in place to avoid the causes of fatigue-related accidents, allow drivers time to rest, and promote safer streets.
A driver’s day starts for him or her as a 14-hour driver once he has begun on-duty work (for example, checking or unloading the vehicle). Once drivers start, they’ve got 14 hours to do all their driving that day. But in this window, they can drive for only 11 hours, after which they have to rest. Once a driver hits the 14-hour mark, he or she must have at least 10 straight off-duty hours before being permitted to begin a new workday.
ELDs from TruckX streamline HOS by automatically measuring driving and on-duty time and sending real-time notifications when drivers are nearing their 14-hour limit. This automated system keeps fleets from violating HOS laws, keeps records up to date, and supports driver safety. Fleets that keep within the 14-hour rule avoid penalties and allow drivers to drive safer.
