HOS Ruleset Every Truck Driver Should Know in 2026

HOS (Hours of Service) rules must be followed because non-compliance leads to operational difficulties and expensive breaches of the regulations. In 2026, enforcement remains strict under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and every CDL holder should clearly understand these rules.

Who Must Follow the HOS Ruleset?

• Drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce
• All drivers who must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) according to regulations
• The regulations apply to company drivers and owner-operators and fleet drivers

Core HOS Limits (Property-Carrying Drivers)

11-Hour Driving Rule

• Drivers may drive up to 11 hours
• The driving period must end within the 14-hour on-duty time frame.

14-Hour On-Duty Window

• The workday begins when the driver starts to work.
• The total time includes all periods of driving and time spent on-duty without driving.
• The driving restriction remains in effect until the 14-hour period ends, which includes all rest periods.

30-Minute Break Rule

• A 30-minute break comes as an obligation after 8 hours of driving time.
• The break allows drivers to choose from three options which include:
  • off-duty time
  • time in the sleeper berth
  • on-duty time which excludes driving

60 / 70-Hour Weekly Limit

• Non-daily operations total 60 hours within a period of 7 consecutive days.
• Daily operations total 70 hours within a period of 8 consecutive days.

34-Hour Restart

• The weekly on-duty limit resets after 34 hours of consecutive time in off-duty status.
• The time spent in the sleeper berth counts towards the calculation.

Sleeper Berth Split (8/2 Rule)

Drivers can divide the necessary time to be off-duty through these two steps:

• They must sleep for 8 hours which must be done in the sleeper berth.
• They must remain off-duty or use the sleeper berth for an extra 2 hours.

The split can be used in a way that does not affect the 14-hour clock.

ELD Compliance in 2026

Most CMV drivers must use ELDs

• ELDs automatically record
  • the duration of driving
  • the current on-duty condition
  • the periods when drivers take breaks and rest
• All log edits must have matching annotations for their particular changes.
• Log falsification can lead to heavy punishment measures.

Common HOS Violations

• Drivers have operated their vehicles for more than 11 hours.
• The 14-hour limit has been exceeded.
• Drivers fail to comply with the 30-minute break requirement.
• A driver has improperly used his sleeper berth split.
• The driver has changed the information in his ELD or logbook records.

The violations lead to DOT fines and CSA score drops and out-of-service orders.

The 2026 HOS ruleset aims to decrease driver fatigue while enhancing safety on the roads. Truck drivers need to understand the regulations and follow them fully to receive better protection against violations and penalties and downtime problems.