14-consecutive-hour on-duty rule

Scope

This requirement applies to drivers and motor carriers operating property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) — 14-hour period

Key definitions

• Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that meets any one of the following criteria:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW), of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
  • Is transporting hazardous materials of a type or quantity which requires placarding.

• Hi-rail vehicle: An internal rail flaw detection vehicle equipped with flange hi-rails.

Summary of requirements

The driver of a property-carrying CMV may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The 14-hour period is consecutive. It includes all on-duty and off-duty time accrued after coming on duty. Lunch breaks and other off-duty time do not extend the 14-hour duty period. The 14 hours are consecutive from the time drivers start their tour of duty.

Exceptions. The regulations include several exceptions for certain types situations and/or operations:

• Adverse driving conditions. The driver of a property-carrying CMV who encounters adverse driving conditions and cannot safely complete the run within the 11-hour driving limit or 14-hour duty window may increase those limits by up to two hours to complete the run or reach a safe place to stop. Such a driver may not drive:
  • More than 13 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty; or
  • At the end of the 16th consecutive hour since coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Drivers in Alaska. Drivers of property-carrying CMVs in Alaska may not drive after being on duty for 20 hours or more following 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Hi-rail vehicle. For drivers of a hi-rail vehicle, the 14-hour duty limit does not include time in transportation to or from a duty assignment, if the time in transportation:
  • Does not exceed 2 hours per calendar day or a total of 30 hours per calendar month; and
  • Is fully and accurately accounted for in records to be maintained by the motor carrier (these records must be made available upon request to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or Federal Railroad Administration).
• Local Christmas deliveries. The on-duty rule does not apply to drivers of CMVs engaged solely in making local deliveries from retail stores and/or retail catalog businesses to the ultimate consumer when they are driving within the 100 air-mile radius of their work-reporting locations during the period from December 10 through December 25 each year.
• Motion picture production site. Drivers of CMVs transporting property to or from a theatrical or television motion picture production site may not drive after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty when driving within a 100 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting locations. If drivers operate beyond a 100 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting locations, they are subject to the 14-consecutive hour on-duty rule.