Key Takeaways
- Truck drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving under FMCSA Hours of Service regulations.
- After 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on-duty, truck drivers must take 10 consecutive hours of rest off-duty.
- Missouri intrastate truck drivers follow the same FMCSA break rules as interstate drivers.
- Violations of HOS regulations can serve as evidence of negligence in truck accident cases.
Yes, truck drivers in Missouri must take breaks as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Breaks fall under federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, and truck drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without a minimum of a 30-minute interruption.
Federal Hours of Service Break Requirements
As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers are mandated to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. This means they can be off-duty, in their sleeper berth, or on-duty not driving.
After 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on-duty, truck drivers are also required to take 10 consecutive hours of rest off-duty. Truckers are also forbidden from driving beyond a 14th consecutive hour after they come on duty. The only exception to this is for any truck driver in Missouri who operates within a 150 air-mile radius and returns to their starting location.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, there may be federal trucking regulations that apply to your case. At The Bruning Law Firm, our truck accident attorney in St. Louis helps truck accident victims understand their rights and legal options in Missouri, including how the FMCSA rules can prove fault and lead to your compensation award. Understanding the causes of truck accidents is also critical to building a strong case.
Split Sleeper Berth Rules in Missouri
Interstate truck drivers in Missouri are allowed to split their required 10-hour breaks into two periods. One of those periods need to be at least 7 consecutive hours spent in the sleeper berth that is paired with another break that is either taken off-duty or in the sleeper berth of at least 2 hours. Neither of these periods will count against the 14-hour limit for the driving window.
Break Rules for Local or Intrastate Drivers
Hours of service rules governing trucker rest breaks in Missouri are the same as the ones set by the FMCSA. For an intrastate truck driver, which is one who drives only within Missouri, they still are required to take a 30-minute break if they drive more than 8 hours. They also can't drive after 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on duty, and must follow that with 10 hours off.
What Happens When Truck Drivers Violate HOS Regulations
Driver and trucking company liability for break rule violations is easy to prove through electronic logging devices (ELDs) in the event of an accident. If either the trucker or the trucking company does not abide, there are huge fines, temporary suspensions, and lowered safety ratings, not to mention legal issues if these violations resulted in an accident. Learning about what are common jackknife truck accident causes and injuries and how do blind spots cause truck accidents can help you understand how fatigue-related violations contribute to these devastating crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the FMCSA break requirements for truck drivers?
Truck drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving. After 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on-duty, they must take 10 consecutive hours of rest off-duty.
What are the rules for the split sleeper berth in Missouri?
Interstate truck drivers can split their 10-hour rest into two periods: at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth paired with at least 2 hours off-duty or in the sleeper berth. Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
Are there different break rules for intrastate drivers in Missouri?
No, Missouri intrastate truck drivers follow the same FMCSA hours of service requirements as interstate drivers, including the 30-minute break after 8 hours, the 11-hour driving limit, and the 10-hour rest requirement.
What happens if a truck driver violates HOS regulations?
Violations can result in large fines, temporary suspensions, and lowered safety ratings for both the driver and trucking company. If a violation leads to an accident, ELD records serve as evidence of negligence that can strengthen your legal claim.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm is committed to helping injured victims with truck accident cases in Missouri by explaining their rights and legal options in these events. Our St. Louis truck driver fatigue accident attorneys work hard to fight for your compensation, and there is no fee unless we win. Let our lawyers provide the strong legal support and advocacy you deserve after suffering injuries in a truck accident by calling (314) 735-8100 to schedule your free consultation.