What Are the Hours of Service Rules?

When employed as a trucker, one of the main considerations is safety both for the trucker and for other drivers on the road. It is for this reason that both Canada and the US have Hours of Service (HOS) rules that drivers must adhere to. These rules help ensure that drivers get enough rest between shifts – as well as adequate break time - so that they do not become a hazard while driving. The HOS rules are slightly different in Canada than they are in the US.

Canadian Hours of Service Rules

Canadian HOS rules state that commercial truck drivers must limit their driving to 13 consecutive hours in a 16-hour work shift and then must have at least 8 consecutive hours off duty. A driver must stop driving after:

• 13 hours of driving after the end of their last 8 hours off duty.
• 14 hours of time on duty after the end of their last 8 hours off duty
• 70 hours within a 7-day period, or 120 hours within a 14-day period.
• All drivers are required to take at least 24 hours off following a 14-day period.

United States Hours of Service Rules

Drivers operating a commercial vehicle in the United States must adhere to the following rules:

• 11-hour driving rule: A driver must take 10 consecutive hours off once they have driven for 11 consecutive hours.
• 14-hour driving limit: A driver may not drive more than 14 consecutive hours following their 10 hours off duty.
• 15-hour driving limit: A driver may not drive more than 15 consecutive hours following 8 hours off duty.

Driving cross-border and knowing the rules

Canadian drivers driving in the US, must follow US hours of service rules and likewise, US drivers in Canada must follow Canadian HOS rules. So drivers making cross border trips need to be aware of both sets of HOS rules.

Some of the basic differences are:

• Maximum driving time in the US is 15 hours, maximum driving time in Canada is 14 hours.
• In the US, a driver must have their daily records of duty for the past 7 days in their possession. In Canada, a driver must have those record for the past 14 days.

Contact Trukademy today

Complying with Hours of Service rules is important but it can be confusing. If you are interested in enrolling in our Hours of Service Course, contact us today.