Why the workday has limits
Learn what HOS controls and what an ELD does.
Limits on driving, work, and rest
Hours of service (HOS) are rules that limit driving and require rest. They also account for non-driving work. The goal is to reduce the risk of fatigued driving. Loading, fueling, and paperwork can tire a driver even when the truck is parked.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the federal rules for covered commercial operations. Both the driver and the carrier are responsible for following them.
The limits guide the trip plan. The duty record shows the activity you compare with those limits.
HOS is the rule. The ELD keeps the record.
An electronic logging device (ELD) records driving and vehicle data. The driver adds non-driving activity and trip details. Together these form the record of duty status, often called RODS. A commercial motor vehicle is often called a CMV.
At a glance · Follow the sequence
01
HOS
Sets limits on driving, work, and rest
02
ELD + driver
Records the day’s actual activity
03
Trip decision
Check the plan against every limit
Use the record to check the trip against the limits.
Which rules these courses teach
These courses focus on US interstate trucks carrying freight. Interstate commerce can include an in-state leg of a shipment moving between states. Passenger vehicles, intrastate work, and some industries have different rules.
Start by recording activity correctly. Then learn the clocks, exceptions, and review process. A clock based on the wrong duty status can give the wrong answer.