Semi driver hours of service compliance is easier to achieve than ever before thanks to reliable ELD solutions like the one offered by HOS247. Fleet managers, owner-operators, and all types of drivers should rest easy knowing that their ELD solution can help them avoid fines, increase fleet visibility, improve operational efficiency, and even reduce costs. So if you’re looking to switch to a dependable ELD to comply with semi hours of service, then HOS247 is the right choice. Our electronic logging devices provide automatic HOS, reports on duty status (RODS), vehicle diagnostics, and GPS plus IFTA options. Read on to find out more about how HOS247 can help users keep their business running and their commercial vehicles on the road.
What Is A Semi Driver?
A semi-driver refers to the person that drives a semi-truck: anyone who earns a living driving a truck and transporting goods & materials over the road. Their routes switch between distribution centers or manufacturing plants to retail destinations and they can work at any given hour of the day (or night). There are three main types of truckers: company truck drivers, owner-operators, and independent owners. Most truckers are subject to Hours Of Service (HOS), which means they must abide by HOS regulations regarding total driving time and compliance.
Regardless of the specific role, every semi-driver shares the same responsibility: maintaining safety on the public roads. Adhering to HOS rules through a reliable ELD system helps professional drivers earn a living efficiently while protecting themselves and the motoring public from the risks of fatigue.
What Are The Hours Of Service For Semi Drivers?
Hours Of Service determine the number of hours a CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) driver may work per day, week, or any other period mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In simpler terms, it refers to the amount of time a vehicle is allowed to be on the road. Drivers who are subject to HOS are required to:
- Limit the amount of time spent driving or on duty (normally no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty).
- Avoid exceeding the maximum amount of HOS set by law.
- Maintain RODS (Records of Duty Status), which are accurate records of the hours worked. These records must be available for inspection by either law enforcement or the FMCSA.
Other requirements mandated by the FMCSA include a 30-minute break requirement to be taken after 8 cumulative hours of driving time, a sleeper berth that consists of a 10-hour off-duty minimum, and a 60/70-hour limit where truckers may not be behind the wheel 60 to 70 in 7-8 consecutive days.
Mastering these basic rules is the foundation of a safe fleet, but real-world trucking often requires more flexibility. By understanding specific FMCSA exceptions, drivers can legally optimize their schedules to handle delays, traffic, and tight delivery windows without risking a violation.
Do you have any questions? Talk to ELD Advisor: 650-405-3372 or Request Callback
Optimizing Your Drive: Advanced HOS Exceptions Explained
While the standard 11-hour and 14-hour rules apply to most trips, the FMCSA provides specific exceptions that allow drivers to manage unpredictable schedules. Understanding these provisions can help fleets maintain efficiency without violating compliance standards.
The Split Sleeper Berth Provision
This rule offers flexibility by allowing drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two separate shifts. To use this correctly:
- The 7/3 or 8/2 Split. One period must be at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth. The second period must be at least 2 consecutive hours (either in the sleeper berth, off-duty, or a combination).
- The Total. Both periods must add up to at least 10 hours.
- The Benefit. When paired correctly, neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window, effectively “pausing” the clock and extending the driver’s workable day.
Personal Conveyance (PC)
Personal conveyance allows the use of a commercial motor vehicle for personal reasons while off-duty.
- Allowed use. Moving from a shipper to a safe parking location (if the first location was unsafe) or traveling to a restaurant or hotel.
- Strict prohibitions. PC cannot be used to advance the load, move closer to the next pickup, or head to a maintenance facility.
- 2025 Enforcement. Inspectors are increasingly scrutinizing PC logs for misuse. Accurate annotation in the ELD is essential to prove the move was personal and not operational.
Adverse Driving Conditions
If a driver encounters unexpected weather (like snow or fog) or traffic conditions that could not have been known before the trip started, they may extend their driving time and 14-hour window by up to 2 hours. This exception allows drivers to reach a safe haven or destination safely without feeling pressured to race the clock.
The 34-Hour Restart
Drivers can reset their 60/70-hour weekly clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off-duty. This period must be unbroken and can include sleeper berth time, off-duty time, or a combination of both.
An Electronic Logging Device You Can Depend On
Fleet managers, owner-operators, and independent drivers need a reliable ELD solution. HOS247 steps in as an industry leader that can help users stay compliant with semi driver hours of service regulations, improve their logistics, and optimize their fleet management. Our electronic logbook is FMCSA-registered and our company is known for providing outstanding customer support. A few of the HOS247 ELD key features are:
Automatic HOS
Our electronic logging device solution tracks semi truck drivers hours of service automatically, making it easy to adhere to current regulations. It also provides driving time, miles, and location records automatically.
DOT Inspection Mode / Compliance Monitoring
Pass DOT inspections, avoid costly fines with our FMCSA-registered ELD, and monitor hours of service logs and DVIRs. All from the comfort of a phone or a tablet.
Multiple HOS Rules & Exemptions
Stay compliant with multiple HOS rules such as Property/Passenger 60-hour/7-day & 70-hour/8-day.
Compatible With Android & iOS
Download HOS247’s electronic logbook app from Apple Store or Google Play Store. The app is fully compatible with both operating systems.
Electronic DVIR
Ensure vehicle safety with easy-to-create/edit electronic driver vehicle inspection reports
Vehicle inspection reports are created and
submitted in seconds.
IFTA Reporting
Reduce human error and audit risk with automated IFTA state mileage calculations.
ELD-Based Tracking
Gain full visibility of your fleet and improve your logistics and operations with the location history tracking system in HOS247’s electronic logging device.
Choosing the right ELD is about more than just avoiding fines; it’s about finding a system that fits seamlessly into your daily workflow. With HOS247, fleets gain a partner that simplifies the complex web of compliance, allowing drivers to focus on the road while the technology handles the regulations.
GPS Tracking for a Complete Solution
There’s a simple way to help keep a truck as safe as possible: GPS tracking. At HOS247, we offer it as an add-on to our ELD solution to provide a complete product with advanced real-time GPS tracking telematics powered by 4G LTE Technology. Here are the main advantages of HOS247’s GPS tracking:
- Faster connectivity. Stay ahead of the 3G shutdowns. Our trackers’ 4G LTE Technology can help avoid service interruptions, speed up their connection, and enable route optimization.
- Increase fuel efficiency. Our GPS tracker comes with a telematics solution that provides vehicle speed information, which alerts when the speed limit is exceeded or when a truck is idle. Reducing unnecessary speeding and excessive idling times can help reduce fuel wastage.
- Provide accurate location-based information. With a GPS tracker, fleet managers can locate the vehicle closest to a particular location, which can help reduce dispatching time. An accurate location reading can also help optimize the company’s route planning and logistics.
- Improve vehicle security. Thanks to location-based data, the company can obtain the vehicle’s coordinates in case of theft or recover an item. This can also help managers track vehicles and receive alerts if the vehicle is being used after working hours.
An integrated GPS and ELD system transforms data into actionable business intelligence. By combining compliance logs with real-time location and vehicle health data, fleet managers can make smarter decisions that protect assets, reduce fuel costs, and improve customer satisfaction. HOS247’s 4G GPS tracking can help increase operational efficiency by providing complete control of any given vehicle in real time, preventing risks, and saving time and money.
Do you have any questions? Talk to ELD Advisor: 650-405-3372 or Request Callback
Why Choose HOS247
By choosing HOS247 as an ELD provider, fleet managers, truckers, and owner-operators will obtain a top-rated solution with easy-to-use software and sturdy hardware designed to keep commercial vehicles running and compliant. And most importantly, at HOS247 we work tirelessly to provide our clients the biggest benefit: outstanding customer service 7 days a week. Here’s what HOS247 users will get:
- Top-rated ELD. Our FMCSA-approved electronic logging devices can help users stay compliant with semi truck hours of service in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Reliable hardware. We focus on dependability. HOS247 ELD hardware was strategically designed to be sound and reliable in order to prevent mid-drive breakdowns. Also, it is easy to install with a hassle-free process. And in case something were to happen, HOS247’s high-quality support is always there to help.
- High-quality support. Our customer service is available to help 7 days a week. In addition, support can be provided in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Polish, and Russian. This dedication and reliability are what makes HOS247 one of the top options in the ELD market.
- No hidden costs. With HOS247, there are no hidden costs. Everything is shown upfront, and it doesn’t matter if it’s just 1 vehicle or an entire fleet of 500 trucks.
- No long-term contracts. We offer two-week returns with no hassle. Also, with HOS247 you don’t need to commit to any long-term contracts and can cancel at any moment if you are not satisfied with the solution.
In an industry where downtime costs money, reliability is the most valuable feature of all. HOS247 delivers a stable, user-friendly platform backed by support that is actually there when you need it. It is a solution built to keep your trucks legal, your drivers happy, and your business moving forward.
Conclusion
Semi driver hours of service regulations are the framework that keeps professional drivers safe and compliant on the road. While the basic 11-hour and 14-hour rules provide the structure, mastering the advanced exceptions — like the split sleeper berth or personal conveyance — is what allows a fleet to truly maximize efficiency without risking violations.
Success in this industry requires a balance of knowledge and the right tools. A reliable ELD system does not just record time; it simplifies the complexity of these rules, giving drivers confidence that their logs are accurate and audit-ready.
By choosing HOS247, fleets gain a dedicated partner committed to keeping trucks moving. With dependable hardware, an intuitive app designed for real-world trucking, and support that is always just a phone call away, HOS247 ensures that compliance is never a burden. Invest in a solution that works as hard as your drivers do, and keep your focus where it belongs: on the road ahead.
A Note to Our Readers on Compliance
This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for official regulatory guidance or legal advice. HOS and ELD regulations are complex and subject to change and interpretation by enforcement officials. Please always refer to official sources for the most current and accurate information.
I’ve co-founded, built and managed several transportation-related businesses. Now, I’m a founder and CEO of HOS247 – an AI Transportation Platform for trucking companies, freight brokers and other logistics operations. We are transitioning old-style operations to technology-advanced logistics entities and help them to grow their businesses. ELDs (electronic logging devices), fleet tracking and management 2.0 combined with AI-powered dispatch tools.
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