FMCSA Hours of Service Rules: How They Affect Your Shipment
Federal HOS rules limit commercial drivers to 11 hours of driving per day. Here's how these regulations affect car shipping transit times and why they exist.
What Are Hours of Service (HOS) Rules?
Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are federal rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that limit how long commercial drivers can operate their vehicles without rest. They exist to prevent fatigued driving, which is one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle accidents.
The Core HOS Rules for Property-Carrying Drivers
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 11-hour driving limit | Maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty |
| 14-hour on-duty window | All driving must be completed within 14 hours after coming on duty |
| 30-minute break | Required after 8 hours of driving |
| 60/70-hour limit | 60 hours driving in 7 consecutive days OR 70 hours in 8 days |
| Restart provision | Drivers can restart their 60/70-hour clock after 34 consecutive hours off-duty |
How HOS Affects Your Car Shipping Timeline
Transit Pace
At typical highway speeds (60-65 mph), 11 hours of driving produces 350–500 miles of progress per day after accounting for stops, weigh stations, fuel, and delivery/pickup appointments.
This is why:
- A 2,800-mile coast-to-coast route takes 7-10 days, NOT 4-5 days as you might expect driving it yourself
- A 1,300-mile New York–Florida route takes 4-7 days in transit
The 30-Minute Break
After 8 cumulative hours of driving, drivers must take a 30-minute break. This adds roughly 30 minutes of non-movement to each driving day.
Multi-Stop Routes
Your vehicle likely shares the trailer with others. When the driver makes pickups or deliveries at other stops, that time counts toward the 14-hour window. More stops = less actual driving time per day.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
Since 2019, most commercial carriers are required to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record driving time in real time. ELDs prevent drivers from falsifying logbooks and ensure HOS compliance. This is good for safety, and it means the HOS limitations your driver faces are real and enforced.
Q&A
Q: Can drivers ever exceed the 11-hour limit?
Rarely, and only under specific emergency exemptions issued by the FMCSA. In normal operations, the limits are strictly enforced.
Q: Why can't my car just be delivered faster?
A driver physically cannot safely drive more than 11 hours per day by law. For faster delivery, expedited service assigns a carrier closer to your delivery location, reducing total transit days, not driving hours per day.
Q: Do HOS rules apply on weekends?
Yes. HOS regulations apply every day, including weekends and holidays.
Q: Will my driver tell me if they need to take a break that affects my pickup?
Yes. Professional carriers communicate proactively if a rest stop creates a scheduling shift.
Transit time questions? Call (760) 932-2886 / (760) WEB-AUTO, use LiveChat or email info@webautotransport.com. USDOT# 4574725 | FMCSA Licensed and Bonded.
