• Following 8 hours of rest (off duty and/or in a sleeper berth), 10 hours of passenger-carrying CMV driving time is allowed.
• A driver of a passenger-carrying CMV may continue to work after the 10-hour limit but may not drive a CMV.
• Breaks during the 10-hour driving period are not specifically required under federal hours-of-service rules.

Drivers who operate passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are limited to 10 hours of driving after having 8 hours off.

The term driving means all time spent at the controls of a CMV in operation.

Key points

• All time spent behind the wheel of a CMV is “driving” time, and after 10 hours of driving, the driver must stop driving until getting 8 hours of rest.
• A driver is not limited to 10 hours of driving per day. A driver can drive for 10 hours, take 8 hours off, and then immediately drive for another 10 hours, no matter when the calendar day falls.
• The rules do not limit the amount of work a driver can do. A driver can continue to work after driving for 10 hours, but may not continue to operate a CMV until getting rest.“Driving” includes all time spent at the controls of a CMV in operation. Being stuck in traffic is considered “driving” even if the vehicle is not moving. Job-related driving of a non-CMV is considered “on-duty” time, but not driving time.
• Under certain conditions, a driver can operate an empty CMV for personal reasons (such as commuting to and from home or getting to a local restaurant) and count that driving time as “off duty.” Refer to the discussion of “personal conveyance.”
• Taking breaks during the 10 hours of driving is not required under federal hours-of-service rules, except as needed for the driver or passengers or as required under state laws.