Guide to Hours of Service Compliance
- Wix Consulting
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Introduction
Hours of Service (HOS) compliance is one of the most heavily enforced FMCSA requirements. HOS rules limit how long drivers can work and drive to reduce fatigue-related accidents. For trucking companies and owner-operators, HOS violations are a leading cause of roadside citations, audits, and out-of-service orders.
What Are Hours of Service (HOS) Rules?
Definition
Hours of Service (HOS) rules are federal regulations enforced by FMCSA that govern how many hours commercial drivers may drive, work, and rest within specific time periods.
HOS compliance is measured through logs, supporting documents, and ELD data.
Who Must Comply With HOS Rules?
Applicability
HOS rules apply to:
CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles
Most interstate trucking operations
Owner-operators under their own authority
Drivers using ELDs or paper logs under limited exemptions
Exemptions exist, but misuse is a common violation source.
Core Hours of Service Limits
Property-Carrying Drivers
Key HOS limits include:
11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty
14-hour on-duty window
60/70-hour weekly limit
30-minute break requirement
Exceeding any limit is a violation.
Sleeper Berth Provisions
Drivers using sleeper berths must follow specific split rules. Incorrect splits frequently result in log violations.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Compliance
ELD Requirements
FMCSA requires most drivers to use ELDs to record HOS.
Carriers must ensure:
ELDs are FMCSA-approved
Drivers are trained on proper use
Malfunctions are documented and corrected
Supporting documents match ELD logs
ELD data is a primary enforcement tool.
Supporting Documents and Record Retention
What FMCSA Reviews
FMCSA compares logs against supporting documents such as:
Fuel receipts
Bills of lading
Dispatch records
GPS data
Discrepancies often lead to enforcement.
Common Hours of Service Violations
Frequent Violation Types
False or inaccurate logs
Exceeding driving or on-duty limits
Improper use of personal conveyance
Misapplied exemptions
Missing or mismatched supporting documents
HOS violations escalate quickly when repeated.
How HOS Violations Affect Safety and Audits
Enforcement Impact
HOS violations:
Increase roadside inspection scrutiny
Raise audit likelihood
Contribute to safety score deterioration
Result in out-of-service orders
Practical Checklist: HOS Compliance Essentials
Train drivers on HOS rules and ELD usage
Review logs and supporting documents weekly
Address log edits and anomalies immediately
Verify proper use of exemptions
Maintain required record retention
This checklist reflects real enforcement standards.
Common HOS Compliance Mistakes
Over-Reliance on ELDs
ELDs record data, but they do not ensure compliance. Carrier oversight is required.
Poor Driver Training
Untrained drivers generate violations even with compliant equipment.
Ignoring Early Warnings
Small HOS issues often signal larger compliance problems.
Conclusion
Hours of Service compliance is a high-risk area for FMCSA enforcement because it directly affects safety. Roadside inspections, audits, and data analysis all focus heavily on HOS records. Trucking companies that actively manage logs, train drivers, and verify supporting documents reduce violations and maintain regulatory control.
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