Hours-of-Service Rules for Drivers (2026) | TMMR
Hours-of-Service Rules for Drivers (2026)
Hours-of-service rules limit when and how long commercial drivers may drive or remain on duty.
What Are the Hours-of-Service Rules for Drivers?
FMCSA provides separate hours-of-service limits for property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers. The supplied summary covers driving windows, breaks, weekly on-duty limits, sleeper-berth provisions, adverse conditions, and a short-haul exception.
- Passenger-carrying drivers have a 10-hour driving limit after 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- Passenger-carrying drivers may not drive after 15 hours on duty following 8 hours off duty.
- A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative driving hours without an interruption of at least 30 minutes.
What Are the Passenger-Carrying Limits?
- 10-hour driving limit after 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- 15-hour on-duty limit following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- 60/70-hour limit in 7/8 consecutive days.
- 30-minute break after 8 cumulative driving hours without a qualifying interruption.
What Are the Property-Carrying Limits?
- 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit after coming on duty.
- 60/70-hour limit in 7/8 consecutive days.
How to Apply the Rules
- Classify the operation as passenger-carrying or property-carrying.
- Track driving, on-duty, and off-duty periods.
- Apply the applicable break, weekly, sleeper-berth, and adverse-condition provisions.
- Check whether the short-haul exception applies.
Hours-of-Service Questions from Tour Operators
What is the passenger-carrying driving limit?
The supplied FMCSA summary states that passenger-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty.
When is the 30-minute break required?
Drivers must take a 30-minute break when they have driven for 8 cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption.
What is the passenger-carrying on-duty limit?
Passenger-carrying drivers may not drive after being on duty for 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
Is there a short-haul exception?
The supplied summary describes an exception for drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius who do not exceed a 14-hour duty period and return to the normal work location.
Does FMCSA provide different rules for passenger and property drivers?
Yes. The supplied FMCSA summary provides separate tables for property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers.