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Federal Hours of Service (HOS) Rule Types
Federal Hours of Service (HOS) Rule Types

An overview of the basics and FMCSA HOS rules types when using the Contractor's E-logs app.

Breanne Cassidy avatar
Written by Breanne Cassidy
Updated over 2 years ago

Hours of Service (HOS)

Exemptions vs Exceptions vs Annotations

  • Exemptions are sets of rules/exceptions that may be applied to a driver's log (and associated HOS type). 

  • Exceptions are specifically targeted alterations of a rule. Often several Exceptions grouped together will form an exception that a driver may use. 

  • Annotations are notes on the driver's log, documenting their activity in higher detail. 

Short Haul vs Long Haul

  • A Short Haul / Out-and-back is when a driver starts and ends their shift at the same reporting location. 

  • Long Haul is used to describe any other trip type, mostly when drivers start and end their shifts at different locations. 

Federal HOS Rule Types

The following 4 rules types are offered in the Contractor's E-logs app to comply with FMCSA regulations. For detailed information, see the FMCSA site

Property Carrying Vehicles 60 Hour / 7 Day

  • Off Duty - OFF: Must have 10 consecutive hours off duty before working a "shift"

  • Drive - D: 11- Hour limit. May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. 

  • On Duty - ON 14-Hour limit. May not be ON beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period. 

  • Break - B (OFF): Must take a 30 min break in the first 8 hours of On/Drive Time within a shift. 

  • Off Duty - OFF 60-Hour Limit. May not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. 

  • Sleeper Berth - SB: Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper-berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in SB, Off Duty, or any combination of the two.

Property Carrying Vehicles 70 Hour / 8 Day

  • Off Duty - OFF: Must have 10 consecutive hours off duty before working a "shift". 

  • Drive - D: 11-Hour Limit. May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. 

  • On Duty - ON 14-Hour Limit. May not be ON beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period. 

  • Break - B (OFF): May drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of driver's last off-duty or sleeper berth of at least 30 minutes. 

  • Off Duty - OFF 70-Hour Limit. May not drive after 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days. A driver may restart an 8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty. 

  • Sleeper Berth - SB: Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth. plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two. 

Passenger Carrying Vehicles 60 Hour / 7 Day

  • Off Duty - OFF: Must have 8 consecutive hours off duty before working a "shift". 

  • Drive - D: 10-Hour Limit. May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty. 

  • On Duty - ON 15-Hour Limit. May not be ON after having been on duty for 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time is not included in the 15-hour period. 

  • Off Duty - OFF 60-Hour Limit. May not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days. 

  • Sleeper Berth - SB: Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at least 8 hours in the sleeper berth, and may split the sleeper berth time into two periods provided neither is less than 2 hours. 

  • No break required

Passenger Carrying Vehicles 70 Hour/ 8 Day

  • Off Duty - OFF: Must have 8 consecutive hours off duty before working a "shift". 

  • Drive - D: 10-Hour Driving Limit. May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty. 

  • On Duty - ON 15-Hour Limit. May not be ON after having been on duty for 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time is not included in the 15-hour period. 

  • Off Duty - OFF 70-Hour Limit. May not drive after 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days. 

  • Sleeper Berth - SB: Drivers using a sleeper berth must take at least 8 hours in the sleeper berth and may split the sleeper berth time into two periods provided neither is less than 2 hours. 

  • No break required

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