A fleet manager’s guide to Hours of Service exemptions

Hours of service (HOS) regulations are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and are designed to ensure safety and compliance in fleet operations. However, strict rules can create operational challenges for drivers and fleet managers. Exemptions to HOS rules provide necessary flexibility for specific scenarios, helping fleets maintain operational efficiency and reduce unnecessary restrictions.

In this guide, we’ll explore key HOS exemptions and how Samsara's solutions can simplify compliance in your fleet.

What are Hours of Service exemptions?

Hours of Service (HOS) exemptions are specific allowances that let certain drivers or operations deviate from standard HOS rules under defined conditions. By understanding and properly applying these exemptions, your fleet can optimize operations while staying compliant with FMCSA regulations.

Some of the most common HOS exemptions include:

• Short-haul exemption

• Adverse driving conditions exemption

• 11-hour driving limit

• 14-hour rule

• 34 hour restart

• Sleep berth exemptions

• 150 air-mile radius exemption 

Common exemptions for Hours of Service regulations

The FMCSA enforces Hours of Service (HOS) regulations to help prevent driver fatigue and ensure the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). While these rules set strict limits on driving time, on-duty hours, and required rest breaks, not all driving scenarios fit the same mold. To accommodate the diverse needs of the trucking industry, the FMCSA provides a set of HOS exemptions and provides added flexibility under specific conditions. Here are some of the most common HOS exemptions:

1. Short-Haul Exemption

The short-haul exemption under FMCSA regulations simplifies compliance for short-haul drivers who operate locally by exempting them from using electronic logging devices (ELDs) and maintaining formal logbooks. To qualify for the short-haul exception, truck drivers must stay within a 150 air-mile radius (about 172 regular miles) from their regular reporting location and must start and end their shift at the same location. They must also complete all driving and on-duty activities within 14 consecutive hours and take 10 consecutive hours off duty before the next shift. This exemption is most commonly used by delivery drivers, commercial drivers, utility workers, and construction crews who complete daily routes and return to base, reducing administrative burdens while maintaining safety.

2. 11-Hour Driving Limit

The 11-hour driving limit is one of the foundational Hours of Service rules for property-carrying drivers in the U.S. It states that a driver may not drive more than 11 total hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. These 11 hours of driving must occur within a 14-hour on-duty window. Breaks and off-duty periods within that window do not stop the 14-hour clock. Once the 11-hour driving limit is reached, the driver must stop driving—even if the 14-hour window hasn’t expired. This rule is designed to limit fatigue and reduce the risk of drowsy driving, particularly for long-haul truckers.

3. 14-Hour Rule

The 14-hour rule places a limit on the length of the workday for property-carrying drivers. Once a driver goes on duty (even if not immediately driving), a 14-hour countdown begins, during which they may drive up to 11 hours. However, once the 14-hour window ends, driving is prohibited, even if breaks were taken during the shift. Only a full 10 consecutive hours off duty can reset the 14-hour window. This rule prevents drivers from extending their workday with long breaks or loading waits and is crucial for managing fatigue, especially in time-sensitive freight operations.

4. Adverse driving conditions exemption

The adverse driving conditions exemption provides flexibility during unexpected road or weather-related situations. It allows property-carrying drivers to extend their maximum 11-hour driving limit by up to two hours, and passenger-carrying drivers to extend their 10-hour limit. Conditions must be unforeseen at the time of dispatch, such as sudden snowstorms, traffic from accidents, road closures, or severe fog. Importantly, the adverse driving conditions exemption does not extend the 14-hour driving window for property drivers, but it does extend on-duty driving time, helping drivers complete their runs safely without facing HOS violations due to factors beyond their control.

5. 34-Hour Restart

The 34-hour restart provision resets a driver’s weekly on-duty limit—either 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days—by requiring 34 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may use this restart option at any time, and it can include time spent in the sleeper berth. This restart allows long-haul drivers to get adequate rest and begin a new cycle of driving hour. 

6. Sleeper berth exemption

The sleeper berth exemption gives long-haul drivers the ability to split their required 10-hour off-duty rest period into two qualifying sections. One section must be at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and the other section must be at least 2 consecutive hours either off duty or in the sleeper berth located inside the commercial vehicle. When used together, these break requirements pause the 14-hour driving window, allowing drivers to extend their workday without violating HOS limits. This is especially useful for drivers waiting at docks, stuck in traffic, or planning rest around delivery appointments. Proper logging is required to use this exemption without triggering violations or penalties from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

7. 150 Air-Mile Radius Exemption

The 150 air mile exemption allows eligible commercial drivers with a CDL to operate without maintaining a traditional Record of Duty Status (RODS) or using an electronic logging device (ELD), provided they meet specific conditions. This exemption applies to drivers who stay within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal reporting location and complete their workday within a 14-hour duty window. Since 150 air miles equates to approximately 172.6 road miles, it's important for fleet managers to account for this when planning routes and determining which drivers qualify for the short-haul ELD exemption. While they are still subject to a 14-hour daily duty limit and must take 10 hours off duty between shifts, they benefit from reduced paperwork and easier DOT compliance. 

8. 30-Minute Break Rule

The 30-minute break rule requires property-carrying drivers to take a minimum 30-minute, non-driving break after 8 cumulative hours of driving time without at least a 30-minute interruption. The break can be satisfied by any non-driving period—off-duty time, on-duty time, or sleeper berth time—provided it lasts at least 30 consecutive minutes. This rule helps reduce fatigue during longer shifts and ensures drivers take a moment to rest before continuing. Exceptions to this rule apply to drivers operating under certain HOS exemptions, such as the short-haul exemption, which does not require a 30-minute break due to the nature of local, lower-risk driving patterns.

9. 60/70-Hour Limit

The 60/70-hour limit restricts how many on-duty hours a commercial driver can accumulate over a rolling 7 or 8-day period, depending on the carrier's schedule. Drivers may not operate a commercial motor vehicle once they’ve reached 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days (if the carrier does not operate every day) or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days (if the carrier operates daily). To reset their cycle, drivers must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty, as allowed by the 34-hour restart provision. This rule helps prevent fatigue and encourages adequate rest over the long term, especially for over-the-road and long-haul drivers.

Samsara's ELD solution for Hours of Service (HOS) compliance

Samsara's comprehensive ELD solution simplifies compliance with complex Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for your entire fleet. Samsara’s ELD solution is a fully certified, FMCSA-registered solution that helps fleets comply with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations in the US and Canada. With Samsara, you can:

• Simplify the driver experience with intuitive tools to stay safe and compliant.

• Save time and prevent HOS violations with real-time insights and automated workflows.

• Deploy ELD technology more easily and quickly with lower costs and more flexibility.

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.