FMCSA Revises Hours of Service Final Rule – What You Need to Know

Start now: audit your HOS settings and implement the new rule to stay compliant from day one. Review driver logs, switch to the updated time-tracking approach, and train dispatch to reduce risk of violations.

The final rule updates the regulatory framework that defines off-duty, on-duty, and driving time. It clarifies what drivers may do during shifts, outlines exceptions for specific operations, and sets the conditions under which settings can be adjusted without violating compliance. For commercial fleets, the update discusses the following changes and how they interact with the regulatory structure. However, these changes aim to improve safety while keeping operations predictable.

Prior to deployment, map routes to the new windows and switch schedules accordingly. If a driver is unable to meet a limit during a shift, they should switch to an allowed pattern and log the reason. They must maintain a central record of all changes, which helps during audits. The changes apply to the settings in the ELD and to how you count a break, so teams can stay aligned with the rule.

Exceptions exist for certain operations, such as regional runs or specific regulatory allowances. To keep compliance clear, document every exception with a timestamp and the expected impact on driving time. The following checklist helps: review the settings, confirm what is allowed, and train them and the drivers on how to log break events. The regulatory language is clear, but interpretation may vary by fleet settings.

However, a clear communication plan helps avoid confusion as you roll out the changes. Notify drivers of the new expectations, update the following SOPs, and schedule a brief training session to walk them through the new settings and the exceptions that apply to their routes. This approach keeps everyone aligned and reduces the risk of accidental noncompliance.

Practical implications for drivers, fleets, and compliance timelines

Update schedules now to align with the new work-rest provisions and rulesets. Following these updates, the changes affect how drivers split duty, driving, and rest on the road, and aim to remain within the updated provision. The final rule extends the on-duty window, extending flexibility while preserving safety, so please adjust routing and rest planning accordingly. Communicate them clearly to dispatch, and ensure all logs comply with the provisions and remain auditable. Additionally, prepare drivers for the sleeper-berth options and how to fit them into the work-rest cycle.

For drivers, three practical actions help stay on track: verify duty status at the start and end of each shift, coordinate rest with the sleeper and off-duty time, and monitor remaining duty hours to prevent exceeding the eight-hour work-rest cycle. Please log each sleeper period precisely to comply with the provision, and use them to adapt to the new cycle. These steps help them adapt to the extended rules and maintain safety on the road.

Fleets should implement four concrete steps: update policy docs and training to reflect the new rulesets; adjust dispatch software to track duty, on-duty time, and rest windows; train drivers and supervisors on the updated provisions and how to log sleeper changes; establish quarterly audits to verify compliance and identify gaps. Additionally, they should remind drivers that they should not be asked to work without compensation to meet the new requirements. The changes will affect service levels and routing; measure impact and adjust schedules to balance maintenance and uptime. This applies to each fleet. источник: FMCSA

Who is affected and when the changes take effect

Implement the revised HOS changes now by aligning driver logs and restart practices with the new thresholds and switch points. Review your fleet’s policies, train operators, and ensure your ELDs reflect the updated rules so you remain compliant from the issued date. While you update, verify that your systems capture hours, status, and conditions accurately.

Who is affected: drivers operating under FMCSA Hours of Service rules, including property-carrying fleets, passenger operations, owner-operators, and other stakeholders. Hazardous materials shipments fall under the same framework, with any exception conditions denoted in the rule. Having multiple drivers, fleets must implement a clear process to track restarts, splits, and logs across the crew.

When the changes take effect, refer to the issued final rule for the denoted dates. Some provisions become enforceable immediately, while others require a switch to updated processes and documentation within the specified timeline. Carriers must comply, adjust user accounts and logs, and keep status indicators aligned with the new hours rules. The issued guidance gives fleets a clear path for training and equipment updates, including mygeotab devices that capture the new data.

Actions you can take now: run a gap analysis against the new rules, adjust restart and split strategies, switch to updated sleeper patterns and eight hours of driving blocks where applicable. Verify that logs remain complete and auditable. Use your fleet management system to generate exception reports and confirm every user stays within the updated hours and conditions. If you operate hazardous materials, review material-specific exceptions and maintain compliance throughout the transition.

For fleets using mygeotab, configure the rules engine to denote status and enforce switch triggers, and run automated checks that verify a driver’s rest periods before the next shift. The logs should provide a clear trail for audits, and the process should remain flexible to accommodate future updates without disrupting operations.

New limits on daily driving, on-duty time, and required breaks

Begin by limiting driving to 11 hours within a 14-hour on-duty window and schedule a 30-minute break after the first eight hours. This approach also aligns with fmcsas guidance and helps you stay within the road rules across days of trips. Track hours in your logs or an ELD, and plan ahead for rest to avoid rushing; this reduces risk and keeps you compliant, extending your available flexibility on the road.

The three core limits are hours of driving, on-duty time, and required breaks. The hours of driving must not exceed 11 in a shift, the on-duty window cannot exceed 14 hours, and the weekly hours cap remains–60 hours in seven days or 70 hours in eight days, depending on your operation. A 30-minute break must be taken after eight hours on duty, and you may satisfy this provision with off-duty time or on-duty time not driving within the allowed window. They begin to apply from the start of a shift and carry forward as you move through the road.

Understanding the exceptions and extensions depends on your conditions. In some cases, the sleeper-berth provision may count rest hours toward the on-duty limits, which can extend available driving time under certain circumstances. This april change includes clarifications that help you manage consecutive days of travel, including air-mile planning for long corridors. The three-day or more trips require careful logging and pre-arranged rest windows.

To stay compliant, verify your policy includes these limits and train every driver on the requirement. Use dots on your log sheet or digital display to mark driving, on-duty, and rest segments clearly, and keep an available window for rest if conditions demand. Rand checks by carriers may occur, so keep accurate records and carry backup logs. They know these rules; following them really reduces risk and improves safety for the road.

Sleeper berth provisions and logging changes

Begin with an audit of sleeper berth usage on the road and know whether your operation will rely on the eight-hour sleeper berth plus two hours off duty or ten consecutive hours in the sleeper berth. For large commercial fleets, applying the latest implementation gives drivers more flexibility while reducing crashes and penalties.

FMCSA said the changes clarify how the sleeper berth provisions count toward the 14-hour window and the required rest; drivers must log accurately to avoid penalties and to support safe operations. Without understanding the full impact, mislogging could compromise compliance and lead to penalties. The switch between driving, sleeper berth, and off duty should reflect real rest time and be easy to defend in an audit. Remain aware that each switch is a data point the user must review with counsel.

Counsel recommends four practical actions to align with the new rules:

1) Train drivers on the correct switch between sleeper berth and other statuses, and ensure the user profile is set to the option chosen (SB or OFF) so logs reflect actual rest. This also gives companies a safer road strategy.

2) Update company SOPs to document how the latest provisions apply during long road runs over multiple days.

3) Keep rest periods within the required counts and monitor hours remaining for the day to avoid penalties.

4) Remain compliant by performing a rand audit of recent logs and addressing gaps below the line if needed.

Restart rules, 7/8-day cycles, and exemptions in practice

Adopt a 7/8-day cycle now to optimize compliance and reduce crashes. Require a 34-hour restart that includes two consecutive off-duty periods and choose a 7-day or 8-day pattern based on your driver roster and freight mix.

On a 7-day cycle, on-duty time tops at 60 hours; on an 8-day cycle, it tops at 70 hours. Driving remains limited to 11 hours per day within a 14-hour on-duty window. In wisconsin fleets and partner operations that move hazardous materials, mcnally from rand estimates that extending the cycle gives less risk and more predictability for service while keeping compliance with rules, with previous guidance helping you set the baseline. The setting helps drivers plan rest before peak driving windows and reduces the chance of crashes that disrupt deliveries.

Exemptions in practice include: the included 100-air-mile short-haul exemption for drivers who stay within 100 air miles of a home terminal and return daily; extensions for adverse driving conditions are allowed to keep operations moving when roads are unsafe; and certain operations involving materials shipments may qualify for specific exceptions under partner agreements or government contracts. Review previous rules and align with compliance before applying these exemptions to your setting and schedules, especially if you operate in wisconsin or with mixed materials.

Documentation, recordkeeping, and how Rand McNally tools support compliance

Consolidate all records into a single, auditable system that administration teams can trust. Included are logs, trip sheets, driver attestations, receipts, and maintenance notes. Keep data current with accurate timestamps and link each entry to the related hours-of-service status and duty cycle. If something went missing, correct it quickly and provide an explanation for auditors.

• What to capture: logs (driving time, on-duty time), driver and vehicle identifiers, and materials such as fuel receipts, tolls, and repair notes.
• Where to store: a centralized repository that supports retention rules and easy retrieval for carriers and regulators.
• Options for keeping records: electronic logs, scanned paper documents, and mobile captures that synchronize to a single source.
• Validation and checks: Rand McNally tools give real-time validation against current regulations, flag gaps, missing signatures, or overdue approvals.
• Reporting and transparency: generate explanation-ready reports showing duty status, on-duty time, rest periods, and how those figures relate to hours-of-service rules; share with administration and carriers as needed.
• Security and access: implement role-based permissions to protect sensitive materials and ensure logs are accessible throughout devices used in trucking operations.

Rand McNally tools link documentation to the operating flow. They pull data from vehicles, based on trip data and duty status, and give options to export logs for audits. They help you know where each item stands, have a clear explanation of any gaps, and provide next steps you need to keep your fleet in normal condition while staying compliant with current regulations.