Understanding Hours of Service Resets in the Trucking Industry

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates how long commercial drivers can work, drive, and be on-duty during a day and week. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of the nation's roadways by preventing driver fatigue.

One of the key components of the FMCSA's hours of service regulations is the reset rule. A reset allows drivers to restart their 60/7 or 70/8 hour clock after taking a certain amount of time off duty. This gives drivers a chance to rest and recover from fatigue, which can help to prevent accidents.

There are two main types of resets:

• 34-Hour Reset: This is the most common type of reset. A driver can take 34 or more consecutive hours off duty (or in the sleeper berth) and then restart their 60/7 or 70/8 hour clock.

• 24-Hour Reset: This exception to the 34-hour reset rule allows drivers who haul in oil and gas field operations to get a restart after 24 hours instead of 34 hours. This exception was created to address the unique challenges of working in oil and gas field operations, where drivers often need to work long hours and be on call 24/7.

Who can use the 24-hour reset?

The 24-hour reset is available to drivers who haul in oil and gas field operations. Drivers who are not hauling in oil and gas field operations cannot use the 24-hour reset.

To qualify for the 24-hour reset, drivers must meet the following requirements:

• They must be hauling in oil and gas field operations.

• They must have been off duty for at least 8 consecutive hours.

• They must not have driven more than 10 hours in the previous 24 hours.

• They must not have been involved in any accidents or violations of the hours of service regulations in the previous 24 hours.

How does the 24-hour reset work?

To use the 24-hour reset, drivers must simply take 24 consecutive hours off duty. After 24 hours off duty, drivers can start a new workweek and reset their 60/7 or 70/8 hour clock.

What are the restrictions on the 24-hour reset?

There are a few restrictions on the 24-hour reset. For example, drivers cannot use the 24-hour reset to extend their driving time beyond the 60/7 or 70/8 hour limit. Drivers must also be careful not to use resets in a way that violates any other hours of service regulations.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the 24-hour reset:

• The 24-hour reset can only be used once per week.

• The 24-hour reset cannot be used to extend a driver's workweek.

• The 24-hour reset cannot be used to avoid taking a required 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving.

34-Hour Reset

• A 34-hour reset allows a driver to restart their 60/7 or 70/8 hour clock after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty (or in the sleeper berth).

• The 34 hours must be consecutive. For example, a driver cannot take 20 hours off duty, drive for 4 hours, and then take another 14 hours off duty.

• The 34 hours must be off duty or in the sleeper berth. A driver cannot use the 34-hour reset if they are on-duty for any reason.

• The 34-hour reset can only be used once per week.

• The 34-hour reset cannot be used to extend a driver's workweek.

• The 34-hour reset cannot be used to avoid taking a required 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving.

The 24-hour and 34-hour resets are valuable tools for commercial drivers, but it is important to understand the requirements and restrictions of each reset before using it. By understanding the resets, you can help to ensure that you are complying with the hours of service regulations and avoiding costly fines and penalties.

Source:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (2023, March 8). Hours of Service Regulations.