Hours-of-Service Rules
Course Description:
As a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV, driver, you will be responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle. Your life, as well as the lives of everyone around you on the road are at stake. The federal hours-of-service, or HOS, rules were developed to reduce your likelihood of developing fatigue, being involved in fatigue-related crashes, and managing the health effects of driving long hours. Despite these measures, thousands of people are still injured and killed in CMV crashes each year. HOS rules place regulatory limits on when and how long you may drive, with the goal that these limits will help you stay awake and alert while driving. Today, we’ll review the requirements of the federal HOS rules and explain how they affect your job. These rules apply to interstate commerce, that is, transporting cargo or passengers across state lines.
Why “Hours-of-Service Rules” Matters:
As a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver, you have a lot of responsibility. The biggest concern is safety.
The federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules were developed to reduce the likelihood of driver fatigue, fatigue-related crashes, and health effects of driving long hours.
Although crash rates have been falling, thousands of people are still injured and killed in truck crashes each year, including hundreds of truck drivers. HOS rules put limits on when and how long you may drive, with the goal that these limits will help ensure that you stay awake and alert while driving and also help protect your health and safety.
Key Points:
- Recall the requirements for maximum driving hours and for driving breaks.
- Explain how adverse driving conditions can affect driving limits.
- Distinguish the rules for sleeper berths and short hauls.
- Demonstrate the requirements for daily driver’s logs.
- Review the out-of-service rules.
