American Truck Driving Schools - Your #1 Source for Truck Driving Schools

Home

CDL Schools

Featured Company

Featured School

ADVERTISEMENTS

What are the current DOT regulations on drive time?
By Howard Stihlman, Staff Writer
Article last updated on 1/8/2008

Currently, the Department of Transportatio n regulates that truck drivers can log a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours. Of the 10 hours off-duty hours, 8 must be spent in the sleeper berth (sleeping) while the other 2 hours can be spent eating, showering, or some other activity. After taking an extended home time of one or more days, a driver is not allowed to drive more than 14 continuous hours in the following day.

The DOT also regulates how much time a driver must take off in between hauls. For example, a driver must take at least 34 hours off between a 7 or 8 day on-duty period.

He also cannot drive more than 60 (7) or 70 (8) hours during that one-week period. Although drivers and companies sometimes complain about these rules costing them money and time, they are designed to keep everyone on the road safe and are strictly enforced.