Truckers Are Historically Overworked & Exhausted

Being a truck driver for a living is not an easy job. Truckers are required to work long hours and must remain highly attentive for hours on end.

Read on to learn more about why truckers are overworked and exhausted.

Hours of Service Regulations

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are several different hours of service regulations for truckers. The following are the various regulations:

Property-carrying drivers have an 11-hour driving limit. That means truckers may drive no longer than 11 hours after 10 consecutive off-duty hours.
Passenger-carrying drivers have a 10-hour driving limit. That means truckers may drive no longer than 10 hours after eight (8) consecutive off-duty hours.
Property-carrying drivers have a 14-hour driving limit. That means truckers are not allowed to drive past the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty after 10 consecutive off-duty hours. Longer off-duty time doesn’t lengthen the 14-hour time period.
Passenger-carrying drivers have a 15-hour driving limit. That means truckers are not allowed to drive past the 15th consecutive hour after coming on duty after eight (8) consecutive off-duty hours. Longer off-duty time doesn’t lengthen the 15-hour period.
Rest breaks are required. Truckers are allowed to drive if eight (8) hours or less have gone by since the end of the trucker’s last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of no less than 30 minutes. This requirement doesn’t apply to drivers utilizing short-haul exceptions in 395.1(e).
There’s a 60/70 hour time limit. Truckers are not allowed to drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.
There’s a sleeper-berth provision. Truckers who utilize a sleeper-berth are required to take no less than eight hours in the sleeper berth. This time may be split into two periods as long as neither is less than two hours.

Hours of Service Regulations

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