Hours of Service, Whistleblower, and Penalties
Hours of Service, Whistleblower, and Penalties tests driving and on-duty limits, break rules, recordkeeping, retaliation protection, and consequences for violations.
Core rules
- Property-carrying CMVs: 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour on-duty window, and a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.
- Weekly limits are 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.
- Passenger-carrying CMVs: 10-hour driving limit and 15-hour on-duty limit, with 8 consecutive hours off duty between shifts.
- Use an ELD or paper log as required; do not falsify records.
- Whistleblower protection covers reports of safety violations; a complaint generally must be filed with OSHA within 180 days.
- Penalties include out-of-service orders, fines, and disqualification.
Worked example
A driver starts at 6 a.m. and stays on duty. The 14-hour window ends at 8 p.m. Driving at 8:05 p.m. violates the 14-hour limit even if driving time is under 11 hours. The 30-minute break also must be taken after 8 cumulative driving hours.
Traps
Confusing the 11-hour driving limit with the 14-hour on-duty window; thinking a break resets the 14-hour window; filing a whistleblower complaint after 180 days.