Hours of Service Violations: 10 Effects on Drivers

Summary: Professional drivers face serious consequences when violating hours of service regulations. Understanding these violations protects your livelihood and keeps everyone on the road safer.

Breaking hours of service rules can cost a driver their life. HOS violations risk the driver’s safety and endanger everyone else on the road.

Facing a Lawsuit from an HOS Violation Accident?

Accidents from hours of service violations often lead to legal claims. Our partner Solo helps drivers respond to lawsuits and negotiate settlements before court deadlines expire.

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces regulations for truck and bus drivers. These rules involve daily and weekly driving time limits designed to protect both professional and regular drivers from harm.

Drivers and companies face serious challenges when HOS breaches occur. Substantial DOT fines await violators. Driver fatigue is the key factor when drivers make critical mistakes.

Drivers must follow hours of service regulations to ensure safety for themselves and others.

Common Hours of Service Violations You Must Avoid

Company size doesn’t matter when it comes to HOS violations. Breaking these restrictions jeopardizes far more than just the individual driver.

Legal action may be taken against truck drivers and their companies for HOS violations. You need to know what these violations are.

14-Hour Rule Violation

Property-carrying drivers can drive up to 11 hours daily. These 11 hours must finish within a 14-hour window.

Passenger-carrying drivers can drive up to 10 hours daily. These 10 hours must finish within a 15-hour window.

One exemption exists: adverse driving conditions. Drivers can add two hours to their allowed time when encountering hazardous weather. The driver must be unaware of these conditions when starting their duty.

Tracking time on the road challenges drivers. They already have demanding work requiring high energy and focus.

11-Hour Rule Violation

Property-carrying drivers can drive for up to 11 hours daily. Passenger-carrying drivers can drive for up to 10 hours daily.

Drivers frequently lose track of time and exceed on-duty driving limits. Overworking leads directly to HOS violations.

70-Hour 8-Day Rule Violation

Drivers commonly violate the 70-hour, 8-day rule. Drivers cannot drive after working 60 hours over seven consecutive days or 70 hours over eight straight days.

Drivers can start a new 60- or 70-hour period after resting for 34 consecutive hours.

Incomplete Tracking of Duty Status

Another typical HOS violation involves incomplete duty status records.

Every driver must record hours worked to verify compliance with all rules.

A driver’s CSA score takes a significant hit from incomplete records. Poor CSA scores can take drivers out of service for DOT log violations.

30-Minute Break Rule Violation

Commercial drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving. Breaking this rule counts as an HOS violation.

Who Must Follow HOS Regulations?

Hours of Service requirements apply if your fleet operates CMVs in the U.S. You must follow the rules if your vehicle meets any criteria:

Weighs 10,001 pounds or more (actual or rated)
Transports hazardous materials requiring placards
Carries 16 or more passengers including the driver

10 Serious Effects of Hours of Service Violations

HOS rules protect the public from exhausted or drowsy drivers. These restrictions ensure professional drivers operate vehicles safely.

Violating these restrictions results in significant legal consequences. Drivers who disregard HOS regulations risk serious injuries and death.

Here are 10 potential effects of HOS violations beyond the obvious dangers.

1. HOS Violations Damage Your CSA Score

CSA stands for compliance, safety, and accountability. The CSA program makes the transportation industry safer for everyone.

A motor carrier’s CSA rating represents safety performance measured by FMCSA metrics.

Carrier scores calculate using driver actions, violation numbers, and reported accidents during roadside inspections.

FMCSA hours of service violations downgrade CSA scores. Carriers receive CSA scores based on these factors:

Driver fitness
Unsafe driving
Hazardous materials compliance
HOS compliance
Vehicle maintenance

2. Violations Increase Your Insurance Costs

CSA depends on driver actions like tickets and violations.

HOS violations increase CSA scores, which leads to higher insurance rates. Keep your CSA score as low as possible.

3. HOS Violations Cost Carriers Big Money

FMCSA conducts audits and investigations of compliance records for carriers with highest safety risk.

FMCSA imposes fines and penalties based on audit results. Motor carriers and drivers both face penalties.

Fines range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. You’ll pay hefty amounts for violations.

4. Damaged Safety Scores and Reputation

Motor carrier violations and fines are public information on the FMCSA website. Accessibility can devastate company reputations.

People avoid companies with high CSA scores and bad reputations. HOS violations directly impact your business prospects.

5. HOS Violations Cause Crashes and Fatalities

Drivers who overlook the 14-hour, 11-hour, and 70-hour rules become restless and tired.

Lack of sleep and restlessness causes drivers to lose attention and focus. Crashes and accidents follow. Monetary loss and fatalities result.

HOS violations endanger drivers and other people on the road. Studies show driver fatigue contributes to 20% of accidents.

6. Accidents Create Massive Monetary Loss

Accidents and hazards follow DOT hours of service violations. Luggage and equipment become useless in accidents. You face monetary and time losses.

7. Drivers Can Lose Their Jobs

Breaking regulations forces vehicles to remain parked until drivers accumulate 10 to 30 hours off duty. Only then can they return to compliance.

Drivers can receive out-of-service orders (OSO). An OSO is a prohibition against driving commercial vehicles issued by authorized officials.

Companies can terminate truck drivers due to accidents and vehicle crashes. Your career is on the line.

8. Driver Health Suffers Significantly

Drivers may work longer than FMCSA-allotted times.

Driver health and safety become significantly compromised when spending extended periods seated. Long driving hours cause these adverse health effects:

Fatigue
Bad eyesight
Weight gain
Lack of sleep
High cholesterol levels
Back pain
Joint stiffness

Continuous driving also leads to other serious health issues:

Musculoskeletal disorders
High blood pressure
Heart diseases
Stroke
Sleep disorders
Mental distress

9. Lawsuits and Legal Liability

Drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence.

Tired truck drivers risk themselves and others on the road. They may not react quickly enough to avoid collisions or see obstacles.

When truck drivers violate HOS or engage in negligent behavior causing injuries, personal injury laws allow people to collect compensation. You could face major legal claims.

10. CDL Suspension Ends Your Career

Hours of service regulations are crucial to Commercial Driver’s Licenses. Rules restrict driving hours and ensure sufficient rest between shifts.

Drivers must follow HOS rules strictly. Even one violation can lead to license suspension. Your livelihood depends on compliance.

Protect Your Career by Following HOS Rules

Drivers who comply with HOS regulations reduce fatigue risks. They protect themselves and other drivers. Accident and injury risks drop significantly.

Compliant drivers avoid paying fines and lawsuit judgments. You keep your job, your health, and your reputation.

HOS violations are serious and dangerous for everyone on the road. The repercussions for violating these regulations can end your career. Follow the rules and drive safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 14-hour rule for truck drivers?

Property-carrying drivers can drive up to 11 hours within a 14-hour window. Passenger-carrying drivers can drive up to 10 hours within a 15-hour window. The only exemption is adverse weather conditions unknown when starting duty.

How do HOS violations affect insurance rates?

HOS violations increase your CSA score, which directly increases insurance rates. Carriers with higher CSA scores from HOS violations pay significantly more for commercial vehicle insurance.

Can I lose my CDL for hours of service violations?

Yes, even one HOS violation can lead to CDL suspension. Violations can result in out-of-service orders that prohibit you from driving commercial vehicles and may lead to permanent license suspension.

What is the 70-hour 8-day rule?

Drivers cannot drive after working 60 hours over seven consecutive days or 70 hours over eight straight days. You can start a new period only after resting for 34 consecutive hours.

How much are fines for HOS violations?

FMCSA fines for hours of service violations range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The exact amount depends on the severity and frequency of violations, with repeat offenders facing higher penalties.

Hours of Service Violations: 10 Critical Effects on Drivers