Hours of Service and Driver Qualifications
The three clocks
Know the limits cold: 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty; a 14-hour on-duty window that does not pause for breaks; and 60 hours in 7 days or 70 in 8. A 30-minute interruption is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving. The 34-hour restart resets the weekly cycle. Adverse driving conditions allow up to two extra driving hours but do not extend the 14-hour window.
Records and qualifications
Most drivers must keep records of duty status on an ELD. Split sleeper berth pairing (7/3 or 8/2) lets the two periods pause the 14-hour clock. Beyond hours, a driver needs the right CDL class and endorsements, a current DOT medical card, self-certification of operating type, and a clean record in the Clearinghouse. Pre-trip yourself too: fatigue, illness, and medication are disqualifying.
Alaska note
Federal rules at 49 CFR 395.1(h) provide additional operating flexibility for certain Alaska operations, including extended driving and on-duty limits. Confirm which provision applies to your operation before relying on it.
Traps
The classic errors are confusing the 11-hour driving limit with the 14-hour on-duty window, assuming breaks extend the window, and counting on-duty-not-driving time as off duty.
Worked example
A driver reports at 05:00. The 14-hour window closes at 19:00. If driving starts at 05:00, the mandatory 30-minute break must be taken no later than 13:00.