Hours of Service (HOS) are the federal rules on how long a truck driver can drive and work before resting. Your electronic logging device (ELD) records every minute against them. These are the rules for drivers hauling property.
The daily limits
- 11 hours of driving. After 10 hours off duty in a row, you can drive up to 11 hours.
- A 14-hour window. Those 11 hours have to fit inside 14 hours from when you come on duty, and breaks don't pause that clock.
- A 30-minute break. Once you've driven 8 hours in total, take at least 30 minutes away from the wheel. Off-duty, sleeper berth and on-duty-not-driving time all count as the break.
- 10 hours off. To reset your 11 and 14 hours, take 10 hours off duty in a row, or split them in the sleeper berth (below).
The weekly limits
- 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on how the carrier operates.
- A 34-hour restart. Take 34 hours off in a row and your 60/70-hour clock starts over.
How team driving fits
Each driver on a team keeps their own log and their own clocks. While one drives, the other rests in the sleeper, so the truck keeps going and both drivers stay within the rules.
Teams usually use the sleeper berth split. Instead of 10 hours off in one block, you take two periods:
- One of at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth
- One of at least 2 hours, off duty or in the sleeper
- At least 10 hours in total
Neither period counts against your 14-hour window. A typical team rhythm is to drive, then rest in the sleeper while your co-driver drives, then swap.
Riding in the passenger seat while your co-driver drives is usually logged as on duty, not driving. That time counts toward your 14-hour window and your weekly hours.
How American Miles plans around it
- Dispatch is on the line 24/7 and plans each loop around both drivers' hours.
- Delays are reported early, so a late dock doesn't push you into a log violation.
- The 2–3 days at home after every loop are longer than a 34-hour restart, so each loop starts with a full weekly clock.
The official rules
This summary isn't legal advice. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) publishes the full rules and their exceptions, such as adverse driving conditions. If you're not sure, ask dispatch before you roll.
Want to drive with a team that plans around your hours? See the open positions or call recruiting at 213-943-3006.
