Driving any commercial vehicle means complying fully with all federal safety laws. In addition to handling your tax requirements on an annual basis, such as completing Form 2290 to receive a stamped Schedule 1, you need to know the FMCSA Hours of Service rules as well.

What Are Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations?

The Hours of Service regulation is a federal requirement that prescribes the maximum period that operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) can drive and work. This regulation is strictly enforced by the FMCSA and determines driving time, rest breaks, and off-duty time for interstate commercial drivers.

The main idea that lies in HOS regulations is prevention of driver fatigue. Limitation of driving times combined with mandatory breaks helps to reduce the chances of having tired drivers who would endanger their own lives as well as the lives of other people using highways.

Core HOS Rules for Property-Carrying Drivers

When it comes to long-haul drivers and the people transporting cargo in commercial trucks, the federal policy depends on certain unbreakable restrictions:

• Limit of 11 Hours to Drive: The driver is allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours of being off duty.
• 14-Hour On-Duty Period: Driving should be done within 14 hours from the time the driver becomes on-duty following 10 hours of rest period. Loading, refueling, and waiting for the shipper also counts in this 14-hour period.
• The 30-Minute Rest Break: After driving for 8 consecutive hours in one day, drivers have to rest for 30 minutes either off-duty, sleeping in the sleeper berth, or on duty but not driving.
• The 60/70-Hour Rule: This rule limits the driver from putting in more than 60 hours during a span of 7 days (7-day operation) and 70 hours in 8 days (continuous operation).
• The 34-Hour Restart Rule: By taking at least 34 hours away from work, a driver can restart his/her clock to 0 hours.

How Technology Enforces Compliance

For complete transparency and precision, commercial truck operators employ Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). This equipment is certified to interface with the vehicle’s engine and will record the time driven, status of change of duty and geographical position with the utmost accuracy.

Connecting HOS Compliance with Overall Trucking Operations

For you to maintain a healthy compliance record, all the parts of your business operations must be in motion. The fact that failure to report your shift using an ELD attracts hefty fines, just the same way that failure to meet administrative deadlines may slow down your fleet. To keep the driver log clean while at the same time handling the tax on heavy vehicles through Form 2290.

Note: For more information, visit IRS website