Hours of Service Regulation Differences for Truck Driver vs. Bus Drivers
The new hours of service regulations published in December of 2010 make a significant distinction between truck drivers vs. bus drivers. The differences are outlined below:
TRUCK DRIVER HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATIONS
- 11 Hour Driving Limit - truck drivers may drive for 11 hours following a 10 hour period of time off duty
- 14 Hour Limit - truck drivers cannot drive after the 14th consecutive hour after they come on duty and this 14 hour limit cannot be extended by off duty time
- 60/70 Hour On Duty Limit - truck drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days - this time period can be reset only after at least 34 straight hours off duty
- Sleeper Berth Provision - truck drivers using the Sleeper Berth Provision must spend at least 8 consecutive hours in their sleeper berth and then an additional 2 hours off, which can be spent in the sleeper berth or off-duty anywhere else
BUS DRIVER HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATIONS
- 10 Hour Driving Limit - bus drivers may drive for 10 hours following an 8 hour period of time off duty
- 15 Hour On Duty Limit - bus drivers cannot drive after the 15th consecutive hour on duty after an 8 hour period off-duty
- 60/70 Hour On Duty Limit - bus drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days
- Sleeper Berth Provision - bus drivers using the Sleeper Berth Provision must spend at least 8 hours in their sleeper berth which can be split into 2 periods, provided each period is not less than 2 hours
The FMCSA has created an Hours of Service Handbook for Truck Drivers and an Hours of Service Handbook for Bus Drivers.
