Hours-of-service compliance is centered on two areas, limits and logs. Both drivers and carriers are held responsible for compliance with these regulations. Here's a back-to-basics rundown:
Limits
The limits are actually fairly straightforward. These include no driving once you reach:
- The end of the 14th hour after coming on duty for the day
- 11 hours of driving
- 60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on whether the company operates vehicles 7 days a week
The hours that count toward the 14 and 11 hour limits are started and stopped by a break of 10 hours or more.
14-hour rule
Once you reach the end of the 14th consecutive hour since coming on duty from your 10-hour or more break, you cannot drive a commercial vehicle. You can work, but you cannot drive. If you started your day at 7 a.m.., you cannot drive a commercial vehicle any more as of 9:00 p.m. Waiting to load or unload, meals, other breaks, breakdowns, etc., do not impact the 14-hour limit.
There are only a couple of exceptions to the 14-hour limit, but they are fairly narrow exceptions requiring certain conditions be met. The first exception applies only to drivers of vehicles that do not require a CDL to operate and stay within 150 air-miles of, and return to, the work reporting location. This exception allows the driver to drive up to the 16th hour twice during every seven days.
The other exception allows a driver that has returned to his or her work reporting location the last five working days to drive through the 16th hour once every seven days, or once since the driver’s last 34-hour restart. One requirement that is unique to this exception is that the driver must be released for a 10-hour break after the 16th hour, not just “stop driving.”
11 hours driving
Within the 14 hours, you can drive a total of 11 hours. Any time at the controls of a commercial vehicle while on the roadway counts as driving.
There is only one exception to the 11-hour driving limit, and that is the “adverse driving conditions” exception at §395.1(b). This allows a driver to complete his or her run or reach a place of safety using up to an extra two hours of driving time if delayed by adverse conditions that could not have been known at the time of dispatch. However, this exception does not allow the driver to go over his or her 14-hour limit.
Please note that drivers driving in Alaska and passenger-carrying drivers (bus and motor coach drivers) have different daily hours-of-service limits.
60/70-hour rule
To offset the effects of cumulative fatigue, drivers are not allowed to drive if they have been on duty for 60 hours over the last 7 days, or 70 hours over the last 8 days. Companies that operate vehicles seven days a week are allowed to use the 70-hour limit, if they choose to.
Much like the other limits, the driver can continue to work once the 60- or 70-hour limit is reached, but the driver cannot drive.
Any break of 34 hours or more will allow the driver to “restart” the 7 or 8 day days. In effect, once the driver has 34 consecutive hours off, the driver’s total hours for the last 7 or 8 days go to “zero.”
New for July
As of July 1, drivers can only take a restart if the driver has not had a restart in the last 7 days (168 hours) and if the 34 hours include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods. If the 34 hours did not include these two periods, it is not a restart even if it is 34 hours long (§395.3(c) and (d)).
Also new for July is that a driver cannot drive if it has been 8 hours since the driver’s last off-duty break of 30 minutes or more. Basically, a driver will need to stop and take a 30-minute break if it has been 8 hours since the last break of 30 minutes or more and the driver wants to continue or start driving (§395.3(a)(3)(ii)).
The ‘records’
The main record that is used to show compliance with these limits is the driver’s daily log, officially known as the “driver’s record of duty status” (see §395.8). The driver’s log must account for all activities based on the four “duty lines” on the “grid graph.” These duty lines are:
- Off duty: Driver has no responsibility to the carrier, the vehicle, or the cargo, is performing no work for the carrier (or anyone else), and is free to pursue activities of his/her choosing.
- Sleeper berth: Time spent is the “bunk” (sleeper berth) on the truck.
- Driving: Time spent at the controls of a commercial vehicle on the road.
- On duty: The driver is performing any work for, or has any responsibility to the carrier. Waiting to load or unload, loading and unloading, inspecting the vehicle, fueling the vehicle, standing by, and taking a drug test (including driving to and from) would all be examples of on-duty time.
As well as the grid graph accounting for the time, the log must contain other information. This includes the date, miles driven, driver’s signature, co-driver’s name (if there is one), shipment number (or shipper and cargo), starting time, carrier’s name and address, total hours on each duty line, and the remarks section where the location of any duty change is recorded. A duty change is any time the driver changes duty lines.
The driver’s log must be current at all times to the “last duty change.” If the driver changes duty from on duty to driving at 3 p.m. at Toledo, Ohio, and the driver’s log is checked at 6 p.m. by an officer, the log will need to show the driver driving since 3 p.m. starting at Toledo, Ohio.
Electronic options
There are electronic versions of logs available. These fall into two general categories, automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs), and electronic logging applications (apps) and programs.
AOBRDs are connected to the vehicle and automatically determine when the driver is driving. If the driver is using an AOBRD, the officers will only ask to see the screen, smartphone, or tablet that is used to display the data the AOBRD has recorded. These are discussed in the regulations at §395.2 and §395.15.
Electronic logging apps and programs that are not getting movement data from the vehicle to determine when the driver is driving are basically an electronic version of a paper log, and are regulated under the “regular” log requirements in §395.8. One key point to using such electronic logging apps and programs is that the driver must be able to print his/her logs on demand during a roadside inspection.
Exceptions
There are a couple of exceptions in the regulations that allow the driver to keep time records rather than having to complete a log. These apply to drivers that stay within 100 or 150 air-miles of their work reporting location and return nightly. There are other requirements, so if you think one of these exceptions might apply, check §395.1(e).
There are other “specialized” exceptions as well. These apply to driver-salespeople, drivers involved exclusively in oilfield operations, drivers specializing in transporting construction materials and supplies, and certain drivers transporting agricultural products. Each of these exceptions has certain requirements that must be met to use them, and they only exempt the driver from specific hours-of-service regulations (see §395.1).
Who is responsible for what?
The driver is always responsible for compliance with the limits and logging requirements. The driver can be written a violation on a roadside inspection report and fined (and maybe even placed out of service), if:
- The driver is not able to present a log or an acceptable electronic record from an AOBRD for today and the previous seven days at the time of the inspection.
- The driver’s log is not current to the last change in duty status at the time of the inspection.
- The driver is operating over a limit or has operated over a limit in the past seven days.
- The driver has falsified a log entry.
The company (the carrier whose DOT number the driver was operating for) is responsible for making sure that:
- Drivers submit the completed logs within 13 days.
- Drivers are operating within the limits.
- Drivers are submitting logs that are true and correct (not false and containing all information).
- The logs are retained for 6 months.
To verify that drivers are obeying the hours-of-service regulations, the company must have a mechanism in place to verify compliance, and catch and prevent violations. This is referred to as a “safety management control.” The safety management control must at least be able to make sure that drivers are obeying the limits and not submitting false logs.
During the six months that the company must keep logs on file, the logs are subject to investigation by FMCSA safety investigators. The investigation involves:
- Checking form and manner (all required information is on all logs),
- Checking for compliance with the 11, 14, and 60/70 hour limits, and
- Comparing the logs to supporting documents (such as fuel receipts, toll receipts, inspection reports, accident reports, etc.) to verify that the logs have not been falsified.
Any violations discovered can result in the company being fined. In some cases, the driver may be fined for violations discovered during an investigation as well. If the violations are frequent and serious enough, the company may end up with a lowered safety rating, or worse, ordered out of service.
The company is also responsible for making sure that any assignment given to the driver can be completed legally. As the hours-of-service limits are what determine how many miles a driver can drive and how much work a driver can do, it is something that must be considered with every work assignment.
This great article was written by Tom Bray, editor in the Transportation Publishing Department of the Editorial Resource Unit at J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc, specializing in motor carrier safety and operations management. The article was originally posted on Truckinginfo.com.
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Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
We're having our first Open House in Louisville and you're invited!!
We’re inviting all Class A & Class B CDL drivers to join us for an OPEN HOUSE at our branch office in Louisville, KY to find out more about Driving Ambition and the job opportunities that we have available. We'll also be serving FREE FOOD and REFRESHMENTS!
DRIVING AMBITION OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY MAY 11th, 10am - 2pm
502-276-8854, ext 28
Free Food & Refreshments
We have IMMEDIATE NEEDS for more CDL drivers who are interested in LOCAL and REGIONAL JOBS in the Louisville area.
If you’re not already familiar with driver staffing agencies or with Driving Ambition, check out our short, 2-minute video.
You can also view our Top 5 Reasons to Work for a Driver Staffing Company.
Some of the great benefits of working for Driving Ambition include:
- Local, home daily jobs
- No forced dispatch
- Competitive pay & benefits
- Ability to try out several trucking companies, risk-free
- Different programs to fit your lifestyle – Full-time or Part-time, Temp-to-Hire, 40 hour guarantee, and more!
**Drivers must have a minimum of 12 months recent verifiable experience. For more information about our hiring criteria, click here.
Questions? Please contact Jack Murphy at 502-276-8854, ext 28 or jmurphy@da-drivers.com
If you can't attend the open house, but would like to apply for a job with us, please fill out our ONLINE DOT APPLICATION.
We hope to see you there!!
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Driving Ambition’s last open house was such a success that we decided to have another one - this time in Indianapolis!
We’re inviting all Class A & Class B CDL drivers to join us for an OPEN HOUSE at our branch office in Indianapolis, IN to find out more about Driving Ambition and the job opportunities that we have available. We'll also be serving FREE FOOD and REFRESHMENTS!
DRIVING AMBITION OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY APRIL 27th, 10am - 2pm
317-352-0306, ext 22
Free Food & Refreshments
We have IMMEDIATE NEEDS for more CDL drivers who are interested in LOCAL and REGIONAL JOBS in the Indianapolis area.
If you’re not already familiar with driver staffing agencies or with Driving Ambition, check out our short, 2-minute video.
You can also view our Top 5 Reasons to Work for a Driver Staffing Company.
Some of the great benefits of working for Driving Ambition include:
- Local, home daily jobs
- No forced dispatch
- Competitive pay & benefits
- Ability to try out several trucking companies, risk-free
- Different programs to fit your lifestyle – Full-time or Part-time, Temp-to-Hire, 40 hour guarantee, and more!
**Drivers must have a minimum of 12 months recent verifiable experience. For more information about our hiring criteria, click here.
Questions? Please contact Liz Walker at 317-352-0306, ext 22 or lwalker@da-drivers.com
If you can't attend the open house, but would like to apply for a job with us, please fill out our ONLINE DOT APPLICATION.
We hope to see you there!!
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Successful companies are able to attract and retain talented employees – companies like Google, SAS, and CHG Healthcare Services. Driving Ambition is also a part of this elite group of successful companies (although less well-known). As we continue to expand our business, this is probably the most important challenge we face. It’s vital that we identify top performers as well as those who fit in with our corporate culture. Once hired, it’s crucial that we retain these talented folks since, let’s face it, they’re the key to improving our company’s financial performance.
Keys to Successful Hiring:
- Keep standards high, even when the pressure is on.
In this industry and driver shortage environment, it’s important to maintain your reputation. While being extremely busy is a “happy problem,” you can’t let the pressure of an immediate solution outweigh the long-term effects of a poor hiring decision. Keep your standards consistent – your customers will continue to respect you and value the services you provide.
- Hire for culture fit.
Finding people who are a good fit for your company can be very difficult, but its importance cannot be underestimated. The old adage is true – one bad apple can ruin the barrel. You’ve gone to great lengths to hire great people; you can’t afford to let one bad hiring decision break down the team you’ve built. Although hiring mistakes occasionally happen, it’s imperative that you get rid of those “unfit” employees ASAP.
- Hire for skills.
Several companies put a great deal of emphasis on hiring people with “relevant experience.” While this is essential with the professional CDL drivers we hire, it’s irrelevant with our office team. Driving Ambition has had a lot of success hiring people outside the transportation industry. We’ve recruited top performers who are smart, resourceful and innovative – three skills that have nothing to do with prior experience.
Keys to Successful Retention:
- Know your people.
To keep top performers and build loyalty, you’ve got to know your employees. You’ve got to show them you care by learning about them, their families, their interests and hobbies. We send birthday cards and anniversary cards. We celebrate their personal and professional achievements with the entire company through company newsletters and e-mail announcements. We recognize both the Driver of the Month and Employee of the Month.
- Company benefits is more than compensation.
Pay is important, but all the money in the world will not retain great people. More important is how people are made to feel while working for your company. They want to feel appreciated, respected and recognized. They want to know you’re invested in their professional development and advancement. At the end of the day, a simple “thank you” goes a long way!
- Communicate your corporate culture.
Throughout the hiring and employment process, let your people know what your guiding principles are. Lay out clear expectations. At Driving Ambition, our core values include providing exceptional service by always doing the right thing and treating people the way we want to be treated.
Good people are difficult to find. Once you meet them, make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep them!
Connect with Driving Ambition on LinkedIn and Facebook!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Driving Ambition’s Nashville branch is E-X-P-A-N-D-I-N-G!
This means that we have IMMEDIATE NEEDS for more CDL drivers who are interested in LOCAL and REGIONAL JOBS in the Nashville area.
We’re inviting all Class A & Class B CDL drivers to join us for an OPEN HOUSE at our branch office in La Vergne, TN to find out more about Driving Ambition and the job opportunities that we have available. We'll also be serving FREE FOOD and REFRESHMENTS!
DRIVING AMBITION OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY APRIL 13, 10:00AM TO 2:00PM
Free Food & Refreshments
If you’re not already familiar with driver staffing agencies or with Driving Ambition, check out our short, 2-minute video.
You can also view our Top 5 Reasons to Work for a Driver Staffing Company.
Some of the great benefits of working for Driving Ambition include:
- Local, home daily jobs
- No forced dispatch
- Competitive pay & benefits
- Ability to try out several trucking companies, risk-free
- Different programs to fit your lifestyle – Full-time or Part-time, Temp-to-Hire, 40 hour guarantee, and more!
**Drivers must have a minimum of 12 months recent verifiable experience. For more information about our hiring criteria, click here.
Questions? Please contact Jack at 615-873-2544, ext 28 or jmurphy@da-drivers.com
If you can't attend the open house, but would like to apply for a job with us, please fill out our ONLINE DOT APPLICATION.
We hope to see you there!!
Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
After an investigation into a fatal truck-train accident that happened a year and a half ago, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that federal regulators should create a mechanism to more effectively gather truck driver employment and driving history information to help carriers better screen applicants.
The driver that caused the truck-train collision did not fully disclose all of his prior violations and employers; his previous employers numbered 30 during the 10 years before the crash. The investigation revealed that the driver had been cited for more than a dozen moving violations, had at least three accidents, and had his drivers' license suspended or revoked at least four times.
The board concluded that despite some driver screening programs already in existence, there "is currently no means by which a company can verify the completedness of information provided by a driver applicant.
Deborah Hersman, NTSB chairwoman, said she was well aware of the challenges for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a failsafe system of accurately tracking a driver's history. Even the agency's Pre-employment Screening Program does not offer complete information on a driver's past, she said. "At the end of the day, we don't have a system that works,", she said.
NTSB has issued 19 recommendations, including these three primary recommendations relating to trucking:
- Create a mechanism to gather and record commercial driving-related employment history about all drivers and make this information available to all prospective motor carrier employers.
- Require motor carriers to conduct and document investigations into the employment records of prospective drivers for the 10 years that precede the application date.
- Require motor carriers to retrieve records from the Commercial Driver's License Information System and the National Driver register for all driver applicants so that they can obtain a complete driving and license history of prospective drivers.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Are you interested in local driving jobs or know someone who might be? Maybe Driving Ambition can help! Nearly all of our jobs are LOCAL and we operate under a policy of NO FORCED DISPATCH. Check out our short, 2-minute video that covers some of the top benefits of working for Driving Ambition and then apply online or contact us to find out how we might be a great fit for you!
If you like what you see, please take a few seconds to share this video with others that may be interested.
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Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
If you guessed that the Trucking Industry will be at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville for the 42nd annual Mid-America Trucking Show, you're right! In just 13 days, join 88,000 attendees at MATS and find out why this trucking industry tradeshow is the largest in the world.
In addition to all of the networking and that takes place at MATS, the Mid-America Trucking Show also provides its Attendees with informative, constructive, and trucking-oriented seminars. These seminars will provide invaluable information for companies, fleets, and individuals. All seminars take place in South Wing Conference Center Room B-104. All seminars are free-of-charge and do not require advanced registration.
Some of the seminar topics include: FMCSA Hours of Service, FMCSA Medical Programs Update, FMCSA CSA Update, and Pre/Post-Trip Inspection Planning, among others. You can see all seminar topics and times here.
Driving Ambition will again be exhibiting at MATS. We hope you stop by our booth to say hi! We’ll be in the West Wing – booth #66149.
MATS 2013 Show hours are:
- Thursday, March 21 VIP Session: 10 AM - 1 PM (VIP tickets include general admission) | General Admission: 1 PM - 6 PM
- Friday, March 22 General Admission: 10 AM - 6 PM
- Saturday, March 23 General Admission: 9 AM - 4 PM
Get your general admission MATS tickets online or at the door for $10 each.
For answers to some of MATS 2013 Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
We hope to see you there!
Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Fort Wayne here we come!
Driving Ambition is excited to announce the Grand Opening of our 7th CDL driver staffing branch office!!
In addition to Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville, and Kansas City, Driving Ambition will now also be helping trucking companies and professional CDL truck drivers in the great city of Fort Wayne, IN!!
If you know of anyone who could use Driving Ambition's professional CDL truck driver staffing services - whether they’re in need of safe, qualified truck drivers, or if they’re a professional truck driver looking for a home with a solid company – please refer them to Driving Ambition. We genuinely enjoy helping people find the right “fit”!
Driving Ambition's Fort Wayne office address is:
1415 Directors Row, Suite 2A
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Phone: (260) 383-0510
Toll Free: (877) 259-4963
info@da-drivers.com
Don't forget to visit us on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Driving Ambition was proud and excited to participate in the Indianapolis Transportation Job Fair hosted by Congressman André Carson and Congressman Larry Bucshon on February 21, 2013. On that same day, we were thrilled to participate in our first Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair in Louisville, KY. Both fairs were a HUGE success! We made great connections with drivers and potential customers, and are looking forward to our upcoming HOH job fairs in Erlanger, KY and Dayton, OH later this month.
The Indianapolis Transportation Job Fair was not only a success for drivers and companies, but was a wonderful bi-partisan achievement by the congressmen as well. Both men serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and understand that getting Hoosiers back to work should be our number one priority. They agree that creating employment opportunities by using our state’s vast transportation industry will improve our economy and provide a better quality of life for every Hoosier. The first hour of the job fair was open exclusively to veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center was also on hand offering a variety of services to veterans.
The Louisville Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair was conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment along with the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the ESGR and several other partners. Nearly 100 companies were represented at the job fair. The highlight of the fair was the appearance of former United States Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer. Meyer, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal. He is the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient.
Join Driving Ambition on Facebook and LinkedIn!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.