11-hour driving 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)(3)(i) — Driving time

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.

• Driving time: All time spent at the controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation.

Summary of requirements

The driver of a property-carrying CMV cannot drive for more than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

Drivers are not limited to 11 hours per “day.” A driver could drive for more than 11 hours in one calendar day as long as the driver has 10 hours off after the first 11 hours of driving.

The 11 hours do not have to be driven consecutively for the limit to apply. Drivers are still limited to 11 hours behind the wheel even if they stretch the driving time over more than 11 consecutive hours.

Note that drivers do not have to be carrying any property for the limit to apply. The phrase “property-carrying” is used only to distinguish these CMVs from passenger-carrying CMVs.

Exceptions to this rule exist for:

• 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 time limit or 14-hour duty window may increase the driving time and duty window by two hours (395.1(b)). The driver of a property-carrying vehicle may not drive:
  • More than 13 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty; or
  • After the end of the 16th consecutive hour since coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

• Drivers in Alaska. The driver of a property-carrying CMV in Alaska may not drive for more than 15 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. (395.1(h))
• Drivers of “covered farm vehicles.” These drivers are exempt from the hours-of-service rules. (395.1(s))
• Drivers of “pipeline welding trucks.” These drivers are exempt from the hours-of-service rules. (395.1(x))
• Drivers of utility service vehicles. These drivers are exempt from the hours-of-service rules. (395.1(n))
• Drivers transporting agricultural commodities within a 150-air-mile radius. These drivers are exempt from the hours-of-service rules. (395.1(k))
• Emergencies. In an emergency situation, a driver may complete the run without being in violation, if the run could normally be completed within the hours-of-service limitation. An emergency does not include shipper demands, market declines, a shortage of drivers, mechanical failure, or a driver’s desire to get home. (395.1(b)(2))
• Local Christmas deliveries. The maximum driving time does not apply to a driver of a CMV engaged solely in making local deliveries from retail stores and/or retail catalog businesses to the ultimate consumer when is driving within the 100 air-mile radius of the driver's work-reporting location during the period from December 10 through December 25 each year. (395.1(f))
• Motion picture production site. A driver of a CMV transporting property to or from a theatrical or television motion picture production site may not drive more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty when driving within a 100 air-mile radius of the driver's normal work reporting location. (395.1(p))
• Railroad signal employees. These drivers are exempt from the hours-of-service rules. (395.1(r))

A sleeper berth can be used to meet the requirement for 10 consecutive hours off duty. See the Sleeper berth topic for more information.