DOT driving rules: Best practices for fleet managers to ensure FMCSA compliance

What are DOT driving rules?

Department of Transportation (DOT) driving rules are federal regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure road safety for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators. These FMCSA driving rules are designed to promote safe driving practices, reduce driver fatigue, and minimize the risk of accidents.

The DOT regulations cover a wide range of topics, including Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, which limit the number of hours drivers can operate their vehicles and mandate rest breaks to prevent fatigue-related accidents. The HOS safety regulations also require the use of electronic logging devices (ELDs) to accurately record drivers’ hours of service and ensure compliance with HOS regulations.

In addition to Hours of Service rules, DOT driving regulations encompass other compliance requirements for both property-carrying and passenger-carrying drivers, such as commercial driver license (CDL) qualification standards, vehicle maintenance rules, and inspection requirements. Trucking companies that violate HOS rules may face penalties, fines, or the removal of non-compliant drivers and vehicles from the road.

By staying current with DOT Hours of Service driving rules and implementing best practices for compliance, fleet managers can improve driver safety and enhance fleet efficiency, while reducing legal liabilities.

What are some key driving limits for Hours of Service regulations?

Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are a critical component of DOT driving rules in the trucking industry, designed to prevent driver fatigue and ensure the safety of both your commercial drivers and other road users. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides a comprehensive summary of Hours of Service regulations that outlines the key driving limits. Here is an overview of some of the most important DOT driving rules fleet managers need to know:

1. 11-hour driving limit

A commercial driver may drive up to 11 hours within a shift, but only after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. This is the maximum allowable driving time in a 24-hour period under FMCSA regulations. The 11-hour limit is designed to minimize driver fatigue, a major contributor to commercial vehicle accidents. 

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to monitor driving hours in real time.

• Build routes that allow for fuel stops, rest, and traffic without pushing drivers to the max.

• Educate dispatchers to avoid assigning last-minute loads that could exceed the limit.

2. 14-hour limit

Drivers have a 14-hour period after starting their shift (after 10 hours off duty) to complete all work—driving or non-driving. Once the 14-hour shift closes, the driver cannot drive again until another 10-hour break is taken. The 14-hour rule discourages long, drawn-out shifts with too much on-duty time between driving periods, which can increase fatigue even if driving hours are within limits.

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Avoid unnecessary loading and unloading delays. Time spent waiting at docks or job sites still counts against the 14-hour clock.

• Consider adding buffer time into schedules to protect against late deliveries caused by tight timing.

• Invest in route optimization software that accounts for rest breaks, traffic, and adverse road conditions.

3. 30-minute driving break

After 8 cumulative hours of driving time, drivers must take a 30-minute break. This can be off duty, in the sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving—as long as the truck driver is not behind the wheel. Short breaks help drivers reset and refocus. By incorporating 30-minute driving breaks, fleets can minimize risk and reduce the likelihood of unsafe driving behaviors like drowsiness.

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Encourage truck drivers to take proactive breaks so they don’t wait until the last minute.

• Customize ELD alerts to notify drivers around the 7 hour mark as a warning.

• Ensure rest stops or fueling stations are included along the route at regular intervals.

4. 60/70-hour limit 

The 60/70-hour limit caps a driver’s on-duty time over a rolling 7 or 8 consecutive day period, depending on the carrier’s operations. Truckers must not operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after reaching 60 hours in 7 days (if the carrier doesn’t operate daily) or 70 hours in 8 days (if it does). To reset their cycle, truckers must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty, as allowed by the 34-hour restart provision. This rule helps reduce long-term fatigue and supports safer, more consistent rest for long-haul truckers.

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Monitor driver hours across multiple days, not just daily shifts.

• Identify drivers approaching weekly limits and reassign work proactively.

• Analyze data insights and patterns to balance workload across your drivers.

5. Sleeper berth provision

The sleeper berth exemption allows long-haul drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two qualifying breaks: one of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and another of at least 2 consecutive hours, either off duty-time or in the sleeper berth. When properly used, this split pauses the 14-hour driving window, giving drivers more flexibility to manage delays or rest around delivery schedules. 

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Train drivers on how to use split sleeper logs correctly in ELDs.

• Add flexible rest periods for driver schedules.

• Split logs are a common source of errors, so pay extra attention for split sleeper logs during audits.

6. Adverse driving conditions exception

The adverse driving conditions exemption gives drivers added flexibility when facing unexpected road or weather-related delays. It allows property-carrying drivers to extend their 11-hour driving limit by up to two hours, and passenger-carrying drivers to extend their 10-hour limit. These conditions—such as sudden snow, heavy fog, accidents, or road closures—must be unforeseen at the time of dispatch. While this exemption does not extend the 14-hour driving window for property drivers, it does allow more driving time within that window, helping drivers safely complete their routes without violating HOS rules due to circumstances beyond their control.

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Document the reason for invoking this rule in the driver’s log (for example, attach traffic or weather reports).

• Educate drivers and dispatchers on what qualifies as adverse versus poor planning.

• Use telematics technology or dispatching platforms with weather tracking capabilities to reduce unnecessary exceptions.

7. Short-haul exception

The short-haul exception allows certain drivers to operate without ELDs and standard Hours of Service (HOS) logs if specific conditions are met. To qualify, short-haul drivers must operate within a 150 air-mile radius of their reporting location, start and end their shift at the same location, complete all driving within a 14-hour workday, and not exceed the 60/70-hour weekly on-duty limit. This exception exists to simplify compliance for local and regional operations where drivers return home daily. By reducing paperwork and easing regulatory requirements, it provides relief for smaller or regional fleets that don’t require the same oversight as long-haul operations.

Best practices for fleet managers:

• Maintain accurate time records and logbooks (clock in/out, total hours) even without ELDs.

• Ensure routes and schedules consistently stay within the 150 air-mile radius and time limits.

• Clearly separate short-haul and long-haul driver roles to avoid overlap and confusion.

Ensure compliance with DOT driving rules using Samsara

Samsara's comprehensive ELD solution helps your fleet navigate complex Hours of Service regulations with ease. Samsara’s ELD solution is FMCSA-registered and third-party certified, making it possible for organizations to improve compliance, safety, and efficiency. 

To learn more about how Samsara can help you remain compliant, explore our ELD device and compliance solution and get in touch with our team today.