Hours of service (HOS)

What is Hours of Service (HOS)?

In the world of logistics, safety is the number one priority. Hours of Service (HOS) rules are federal regulations that dictate exactly how long commercial drivers can be on the road before they are required to take a break.

Think of it as a safety net. The main goal is to stop accidents caused by tired drivers. When you are behind the wheel of a commercial motor vehicle, staying alert isn't just about your safety; it's about the safety of everyone else on the road, too.

These rules cover everything from driving time to the mandatory rest periods you need to take between shifts. Whether you drive across the United States or just within your state (intrastate commerce), knowing these rules is part of the job.

Key Features of HOS Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets these standards. Here is a breakdown of the main rules you need to know:

• Maximum Driving Hours: There is a strict limit on how many hours you can drive in a single day or week. For example, property-carrying drivers generally cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• Rest Periods: You can't just power through. Drivers must take mandatory breaks. This usually means if you have been driving for 8 cumulative hours, you are required to take a 30-minute break. This could be eating lunch, resting in the sleeper berth, or just being off-duty.
• On-Duty Vs Off-Duty Time: Your clock doesn't stop just because the wheels aren't turning. "On-duty" time includes non-driving work like loading or unloading cargo, inspecting your truck, or filling out paperwork.
• The 14-Hour Rule: You may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.
• 60/70-Hour Limit: This limits driving to 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. You can restart this clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty.

Exceptions to the Rules

Not every day is the same, and sometimes things happen that are out of your control. There are specific situations where the rules might shift slightly:

• Adverse Driving Conditions: If you run into unexpected bad weather or traffic that you couldn't have known about before starting, you may be allowed to extend your driving time by up to 2 hours.
• Short-Haul Exception: Drivers who operate within a 150 air-mile radius and return to their work reporting location every day may be exempt from keeping strict logbooks, provided they stay within a 14-hour duty period.

How HOS Helps Delivery Drivers

It might feel like these rules are just red tape, but they actually serve a huge purpose for drivers and motor carriers alike.

Improved Safety

This is the big one. Fatigue is a major cause of accidents involving heavy trucks. By mandating rest, HOS rules help ensure that every driver on the road is awake, alert, and ready to react. It protects you, your cargo, and passengers including the public.

Regulatory Compliance

Nobody wants to get pulled over and fined. Following HOS regulations keeps you on the right side of the law. Using an electronic logging device (ELD) makes this easier by automatically recording driving time, ensuring you and your company avoid costly penalties.

Better Work-Life Balance

Driving is a tough job. Without limits, it would be easy to work until you drop. Structured duty time and required rest periods help you maintain a healthier schedule. It ensures you have time to sleep, eat properly, and recover before your next shift, reducing the risk of burnout.

How Geo2 Approaches HOS

Planning a route isn't just about finding the fastest way from A to B. You also have to make sure the route is legal.

Geo2 uses Hours of Service (HOS) rules to assign routes intelligently. When our system plans your day, it looks at maximum driving limits and required breaks. It makes sure that the schedule is realistic, safe, and legal.

This helps logistics companies and drivers in a few key ways:

• Stops Overworking: We don't build routes that force you to break the law to finish on time.
• Increases Efficiency: We factor in where you will be when you need a break, so you don't waste time driving around looking for a stop.
• Keeps You Compliant: By planning with HOS in mind, we help you avoid violations and keep your operation running smoothly.

At Geo2, we believe that a safe route is a smart route. We build tools that handle the complex math of compliance so you can focus on what you do best: driving.