Key Takeaways
- FMCSA hours of service rules include an 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour on-duty window, and mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
- Violations of these rules can be used as evidence of negligence in Missouri truck accident cases.
- Missouri has specific exemptions for short-haul drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius.
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are required for most Missouri truck drivers to track compliance.
Hours of Service (HOS) rules for truck drivers in Missouri are safety regulations created and enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and adopted by the state. These HOS rules require truck drivers to follow strict driving and rest limits. There is an 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour on-duty window, and mandatory 30-minute break required after 8 hours of driving to prevent fatigued driving.
Federal Hours of Service Rules Explained
The federal trucking regulations that affect your case include:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: A semi-truck driver has a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- 14-Hour Workday Limit: All on-duty work, including driving, must be completed within 14 consecutive hours of coming on duty.
- 10-Hour Rest Break: After 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on duty, a trucker must take at least 10 consecutive off-duty hours.
- 30-Minute Break: 30-minute mandatory rest breaks required for truck drivers after 8 hours of cumulative driving also need to be satisfied.
- 60/70-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on-duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, though this resets after 34 consecutive hours off-duty.
- Sleeper Berth Split: Drivers can split their 10-hour off-duty period if they are in the sleeper berth.
Missouri-Specific HOS Considerations
Missouri laws also impact the rules for truck drivers. Interstate truck drivers who only drive within the state must follow rules like these though they may be exempt from electronic logging device (ELD) requirements if they stay within a 150 air-mile radius and come back to the same daily reporting location. Farm product haulers in that 150-mile radius during the planting and harvest seasons may also have some exemptions from some of the HOS rules. Since these rules can be complicated, truck accident victims should contact our truck accident attorney in St. Louis to understand their legal rights and options for recovering compensation.
Understanding what is FMCSA and how does it help my case is essential when building your claim. When trucking companies pressure drivers to violate HOS regulations, they can face significant liability. Learn more about whether can a trucking company be liable for violating regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the consequences of violating HOS rules in Missouri?
Truck drivers can be put out of service immediately and cannot drive until they take their mandatory rest break. The company and the driver can face federal fines, higher insurance costs, and potential criminal penalties for knowingly breaking FMCSA rules.
Do truck drivers in Missouri have to use electronic logging devices (ELDs)?
Most Missouri truck drivers must use ELDs to track hours of service. There are exemptions for those who operate in a 150 air-mile radius who come back to their starting location and do not need a CDL, though the majority of truckers in Missouri must use ELDs.
What is the “16-hour short-haul exception” in Missouri?
This Missouri exception is for qualified short-haul drivers who come back to their home terminal every day. Once every 7 days, they are allowed to extend their maximum workday to 16 hours, providing them extra time on a single shift while staying compliant with the 11-hour limit for driving.
Contact The Bruning Law Firm
The Bruning Law Firm helps truck accident victims understand their rights and legal options in Missouri to seek compensation for their injuries and losses caused by fatigued truck drivers. Our St. Louis fatigued truck driver accident attorneys charge no fee unless we win, and we offer a free consultation to help you determine your next steps. Call (314) 735-8100 today to discuss your truck accident case.