Federal law limits you to 11 hours of driving per day and 60 hours per week, with mandatory rest breaks built in

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules for how long you can drive with a commercial driver's license. The basic limit is 11 hours of driving per day, but only after you have been off duty for at least 10 consecutive hours. You cannot drive more than 60 hours in any 7-day period, or 70 hours in any 8-day period if your company uses an 8-day cycle.

These are federal minimums that explore to interstate commerce. Some states set stricter rules for intrastate driving, and some companies impose their own limits that are tighter than federal law. Your employer's policy may require you to stop before you hit the federal maximum. The rules exist because fatigue is a documented safety risk—the FMCSA tracks hours of service violations as a factor in crash causation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can drive a maximum of 11 hours per day after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and no more than 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.
  • You must take a 30-minute break if you have been on duty for 8 hours without one, even if you have not been driving the whole time.
  • Your logbook (electronic or paper) is the legal record of your hours, and falsifying it is a federal violation that can result in fines and loss of your CDL.
  • Some states and companies enforce stricter limits than federal law, so check your employee handbook and state regulations for your specific situation.
  • Violations can result in out-of-service orders that prevent you from driving, fines for you and your employer, and potential disqualification from holding a CDL.

The 11-Hour Daily Driving Limit and 10-Hour Rest Requirement

You can drive up to 11 hours in a single day, but only after you have completed 10 consecutive hours off duty. "Off duty" means you are not performing any work—not driving, not loading, not waiting for cargo, not performing vehicle maintenance. Once you have been off duty for 10 straight hours, your clock resets and you can drive again.

The 11 hours does not have to be continuous. You can drive 6 hours, take a break, drive another 5 hours, and that counts as 11 hours of driving time for the day. What matters is the total time you spend actually operating the vehicle. Once you hit 11 hours, you must stop driving and go off duty until you have rested for 10 hours.

The 60-Hour and 70-Hour Weekly Limits

Beyond the daily limit, federal law also caps your total driving time across a week. You cannot drive more than 60 hours in any 7-day period. If your company uses an 8-day cycle instead, the limit is 70 hours in any 8-day period. The 8-day cycle is common for companies that want to give drivers more flexibility across a longer window.

These limits reset automatically. If you drive 60 hours Monday through Sunday, your clock resets on Monday and you start counting again. Some drivers use this to their advantage by taking a full day off to reset the 7-day window, but you still cannot exceed 11 hours of driving in a single day, no matter what your weekly total is.

The 30-Minute Break Requirement

Federal law requires you to take a 30-minute break if you have been on duty for 8 consecutive hours without one. This break does not have to be driving time—it counts any time you are on duty, including waiting, loading, or performing other work. The break itself must be off duty, meaning you are not working or driving.

Many drivers take this break at a truck stop or rest area. Some companies require the break to be logged in a specific way in your electronic logbook. If you have been on duty for 8 hours straight without a break, you must take 30 minutes off before you can continue any on-duty work, including driving.

How Electronic Logbooks Track Your Hours

Most commercial drivers now use electronic logging devices (ELDs) instead of paper logbooks. An ELD automatically records when you are driving, on duty, off duty, or in sleeper berth status. It syncs with your vehicle's engine and cannot be manually altered the way a paper log could be. The FMCSA made ELDs mandatory for most interstate carriers in 2017.

Your ELD displays your remaining hours in real time. If you have 2 hours of driving time left before you hit the 11-hour limit, the device will show that. If you have 5 hours left in your 60-hour weekly window, that shows too. Some drivers find this helpful for planning stops; others find it restrictive. Either way, the record is what matters legally. Your logbook is a federal document, and falsifying it—whether on paper or electronically—is a violation that can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and loss of your CDL.

State and Company Rules That May Be Stricter

Federal law sets the floor, not the ceiling. Some states impose stricter limits for drivers operating only within that state (intrastate commerce). For example, a few states require shorter daily driving limits or longer rest periods. You need to know your state's rules if you do intrastate work.

Many companies also set their own policies that are tighter than federal law. Your employer might require you to stop after 10 hours of driving instead of 11, or to take a break every 5 hours instead of waiting until 8 hours on duty. Check your employee handbook and ask your dispatcher or safety manager what your company's specific rules are. If your company's limit is stricter, that is the limit you follow.

What Happens When You Violate Hours of Service Rules

Violations of hours of service rules carry real consequences. If you are caught driving beyond your limits, you can receive a citation and fine. Your company can also be fined. More seriously, you can be placed out of service, which means you are prohibited from driving until you have completed the required rest period. An out-of-service order stops you where you are—you cannot drive to a truck stop or home.

Repeated violations or falsifying your logbook can result in disqualification from holding a CDL. A disqualification can last from 1 year to a lifetime, depending on the violation and whether it involved hazardous materials. This is not a minor penalty—it ends your ability to work as a commercial driver. Inspectors at weigh stations and roadside checks routinely audit logbooks, and the FMCSA tracks violations in the Clearinghouse database that employers check when hiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my break time count toward my 11 hours of driving?

No. Your 11-hour driving limit is only the time you spend actually operating the vehicle. Breaks, waiting time, and other on-duty work do not count as driving time. However, all on-duty time (including breaks) counts toward your 8-hour threshold for the mandatory 30-minute break.

Can I drive 11 hours two days in a row?

Yes, as long as you stay within your 60-hour weekly limit. You can drive 11 hours on Monday and 11 hours on Tuesday, but you cannot drive 11 hours every single day of the week because you would exceed 60 hours by Friday. The weekly cap forces you to take at least one lighter day or full day off each week.

What counts as being "on duty"?

On-duty time includes driving, waiting for cargo, loading or unloading, performing vehicle maintenance, and any other work-related activity. It does not include sleeping in a sleeper berth (which is logged separately) or time spent completely off duty. Your logbook must record which category you are in at all times.

Do I have to use an electronic logbook?

Most interstate carriers are required to use ELDs. Some small carriers and owner-operators may be exempt under specific conditions, but exemptions are narrow. If your company operates across state lines, you almost certainly must use an ELD. Check with your company about whether you may have access to for any exemption.

What if my company wants me to drive beyond the legal limit?

You cannot do it. The hours of service rules are federal law, not suggestions. If your company pressures you to falsify your logbook or drive beyond your limits, you can report it to the FMCSA or your state's motor carrier enforcement agency. You have the right to refuse an unsafe order, and retaliation for refusing is illegal.