The rules at a glance
| Rule | Property carrying | Passenger carrying |
|---|---|---|
| Driving limit | 11 hours after 10 off | 10 hours after 8 off |
| On-duty window | No driving after the 14th hour | No driving after 15 hours on duty |
| Break | 30 minutes after 8 hours of driving | Not required |
| Weekly limit | 60 h / 7 days or 70 h / 8 days | 60 h / 7 days or 70 h / 8 days |
| Restart | 34 consecutive hours off | Not available |
Worked day
A driver comes on duty at 6:00 after 10 hours off and has 52 hours on duty in the last 8 days.
- 6:00 to 7:00 pre-trip and loading (on duty, not driving). The 14-hour clock started at 6:00, so the window closes at 20:00.
- 7:00 to 13:00 driving: 6 hours driven, 5 left on the 11-hour limit.
- Two more hours of driving puts the driver at 8 hours without a break, so a 30-minute break is due by then.
- The 70-hour limit leaves 70 − 52 − 7 (on duty so far today) = 11 hours, and the 14-hour window leaves 7. The 11-hour limit, with 5 hours left, is the one that binds.
Not covered by the calculator: the sleeper berth split (7/3 or 8/2), the adverse driving conditions extension of up to 2 hours, and the 150 air-mile short-haul exception. Your ELD is the official record.
Try 5 CDL practice questions
What should you do first when you notice your vehicle starting to skid on a wet road?
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B. Take your foot off the accelerator When a skid begins, your first response should be to remove your foot from the accelerator. This lets the tires regain traction naturally. Slamming the brakes or yanking the steering wheel can make the skid worse or cause you to lose control entirely.
What is the minimum air pressure at which the low air pressure warning device must activate?
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D. 50 psi The low air pressure warning must come on before air pressure falls below 55 psi (or one half the compressor cut-out pressure, whichever is greater). At or below 50 psi, the spring brakes should automatically apply. Never drive with the warning light or buzzer on.
Under federal regulations, a CDL driver may not operate a CMV within how many hours after drinking alcohol?
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D. 4 hours Federal law prohibits CMV drivers from using alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol within 4 hours before going on duty or operating a commercial motor vehicle. This is a zero-tolerance rule that applies to any measurable amount of alcohol. A violation results in an immediate 24-hour out-of-service order.
After a minor collision with no injuries, what should a CMV driver do first?
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A. Move the vehicle out of traffic if possible If the accident is minor and there are no injuries, move your vehicle out of the traffic lane to prevent further collisions. After securing the scene, exchange information, take photos, and file a report if required by your carrier or state law.
When must a truck driver recheck cargo securement during a trip?
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D. Every 3 hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first Federal regulations require drivers to reexamine cargo and load securement devices whenever they change duty status, or after every 3 hours of driving, or every 150 miles—whichever comes first. This rule exists because shifting loads are a leading cause of highway accidents. Even if the load looks fine at the start, vibrations and road conditions can loosen straps and chains over time.
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Common questions
A property-carrying driver may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Once you come on duty after 10 hours off, you may not drive after the 14th hour. Breaks and off-duty time during the day do not stop the 14-hour clock (a qualifying sleeper berth split is the exception).
After 8 cumulative hours of driving without a 30-minute interruption. The break can be off duty, in the sleeper berth or on duty not driving, as long as it lasts 30 consecutive minutes.
You may not drive after 60 on-duty hours in 7 consecutive days, or 70 in 8 days if your carrier operates every day of the week. Driving and on-duty not driving time both count.
Taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty restarts the 7 or 8-day period, so your 60 or 70 hours are available again.
Yes. Passenger-carrying drivers may drive 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty, and may not drive after 15 hours on duty. The 60/70-hour limits also apply.
Sources, checked 2026-10-29: 49 CFR 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles; 49 CFR 395.5, passenger-carrying vehicles; FMCSA, summary of hours of service regulations. QuizCram is not affiliated with the agencies or standards bodies named here.
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