14 Hour Rule?

14 hour rule, how does a truck driver divide his his time?

This might help, but read the other links I sent you first:

Learn The Logbook Rules (HOS)

In a nutshell - once you start on-duty (pre-trip in the morning) you have 14 hours in which to complete 11 hours of driving.

At some point in the 11 hours - you must take a 1/2 hour break - you cannot drive more than 8 hours continuously, without taking this break (meaning you have to go OFF DUTY for a 1/2 hour). Which actually means your 14 hour clock IS ACTUALLY A 13.5 HOUR CLOCK - since the break also occurs in this 14 hour window.

HOW you break up this 11 hours (inside the 14 hour window), is dependent on WHEN you have to get where you need to be (TRIP PLANNING). You can drive for 5 hours, stop for 2.5 hours and drive for another 6 - or drive the straight 11 with a 1/2 hour break.

Keep in mind this 14 hours also includes fueling, etc.. You also want to TRIP PLAN for your fuel stop(s) and where you are going to stay for your 10 hour break. NO ONE likes to see 15 minutes left on their clock(s), and have nowhere to park.

Rick

In addition to the already excellent advice posted; I will just clarify that you can exceed your 14 (and your 70) while on-duty--anything but driving. So, if your post-trip, fuelling, unloading, etc., takes you beyond your 14 you are just fine. There is no limit in regards to the amount of time that can be spent on-duty not driving. However, when you return to driving it can only be after at least 10 hours consecutive off-duty and is subject to hours remaining on your 70.

The only way to stop your 14 hr is doing an 8 hr sleeper berth for the 8/2 split. The 2 hr portion does not stop your 14hr clock. After 8hrs in the sleeper berth your 14hr clock resets to what you had going into the break. Unless of course you are doing a 2/8 split. Then the 14hr and 11hr clocks reset to what you had prior to going into your 8hr break plus any time used before taking your 2hr break. But I digress. I am not overly fond of split logging, although I have used it on several occasions. I prefer to do a 2/8 split over the 8/2, again I digress.

Drive Safe and God Speed

.

Actually it should read...

You cannot drive after having been on duty (driving and not driving) for 8 consecutive hours. This time would also include any breaks of less than 30 minutes in duration. Every time you take a break off duty it resets your 8 hour clock but does not stop the 14 hour clock.

In addition to the already excellent advice posted; I will just clarify that you can exceed your 14 (and your 70) while on-duty--anything but driving. So, if your post-trip, fuelling, unloading, etc., takes you beyond your 14 you are just fine. There is no limit in regards to the amount of time that can be spent on-duty not driving. However, when you return to driving it can only be after at least 10 hours consecutive off-duty and is subject to hours remaining on your 70.

Keep in mind - in addition to this.

While you CAN stay "On Duty" past the 14 & 70 (but cannot drive) staying logged On Duty burns your 70 HOUR CLOCK.

While you only asked about the 14 hour clock - your 70 determines your overall availability to drive.

You want to do your best, to preserve your 70 hour clock. Once that runs out - you cannot drive again, until you gain hours back - either by a recap (when the on duty hours from the 8th day are recovered at midnight). Or by taking a break of 34 hours - which resets the 70 hour clock, hence the name "34 Hour Reset".

While recaps and resets get kind of complicated - you want to preserve as much of your 70 hour clock as possible.

Rick

Actually it should read...

You cannot drive after having been on duty (driving and not driving) for 8 consecutive hours. This time would also include any breaks of less than 30 minutes in duration. Every time you take a break off duty it resets your 8 hour clock but does not stop the 14 hour clock.

I stand corrected...

On December 27, 2011 (76 FR 81133), FMCSA published a final rule amending its hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The final rule adopted several changes to the HOS regulations, including a new provision requiring drivers to take a rest break during the work day under certain circumstances. Drivers may drive a CMV only if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of at least 30 minutes. FMCSA did not specify when drivers must take the 30-minute break, but the rule requires that they wait no longer than 8 hours after the last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of that length or longer to take the break.

The only way to stop your 14 hr is doing an 8 hr sleeper berth for the 8/2 split. The 2 hr portion does not stop your 14hr clock. After 8hrs in the sleeper berth your 14hr clock resets to what you had going into the break. Unless of course you are doing a 2/8 split. Then the 14hr and 11hr clocks reset to what you had prior to going into your 8hr break plus any time used before taking your 2hr break. But I digress. I am not overly fond of split logging, although I have used it on several occasions. I prefer to do a 2/8 split over the 8/2, again I digress.

Most folks don't end up taking the 2/8 - because there's little to gain from it. The QC doesn't calculate the 2/8 split until you finish the 2nd 8 hour - and then you don't get a full day back anyway - especially, if you drove more than a 5-6 hours after the 2 hour break (on a 2/8). You're better off just staying off for the extra 2 hours and completing a 10 hour break. People use the 8/2 to extend their 14 hour clock - but usually end up just taking a 10 (instead of the 2nd 2 hour break) when they run out of the time they got back on the 14 (from taking the first 8 hour break).

The 8/2 split is good if you get jammed at a shipper for 6 hours or more. You're better off staying for another 2 hours (to take the first 8 on the split) and getting your that 8 back on your 14 so you can get some miles down before having to stop again.

Rick