Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of 18-wheeler accidents in Texas. Unlike regular motorists, truck drivers are limited to how many hours a day they are allowed to operate a commercial vehicle.

As explained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ‘The hours-of-service regulations focus on when and how long are drivers allowed to drive by placing specific limits on the amount of time they drive their truck and how many total hours drivers can work before they are no longer permitted to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

Truck drivers must follow three maximum duty limits at all times. They are the 14-hour “driving window” limit, 11-hour driving limit, and 60-hour/7-day and 70-hour/8-day duty limits.’

Regulations on Interstate Truck Drivers

Interstate truck drivers may not drive for more than 11 consecutive hours and may not drive after being “on-duty” for more than 14 hours total. They are required to have had at least 10 consecutive hours of “off-duty” time prior to beginning their shift.

The hours-of-service requirements for bus drivers are even more stringent: they are not permitted to drive more than 10 hours and may not drive after being “on-duty” for more than 15 hours.

The required “off-duty” time for bus drivers prior to starting their shift is eight consecutive hours.

For both property-carrying and passenger-carrying motor carriers, drivers are restricted to a maximum of 60 hours “on-duty” every seven days (if the carrier does not operate every day of the week).

If the motor carrier operates every day, then this limit changes to 70 hours in eight days.

After reaching this limit, there is a required 34 consecutive hours of “off-duty” time which must elapse before they are permitted to begin the time calculation again.

Regulations on Intrastate (Texas) Truck Drivers

Subject to certain exemptions, intrastate truck drivers are permitted to drive 12 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. 

They may not drive after having been “on duty” 15 hours, following 8 consecutive hours off duty.

  • There is a maximum of 70 hours worked/driven in any consecutive 7-day period.  A driver may restart a consecutive 7-day period after taking 34 or more hours off-duty.
  • Certain intrastate truck drivers are exempt from these regulations as well as the requirement to keep a log of their hours.  They include a person:
    • Who returns to the work-reporting location and is released from working within 12 consecutive hours
    • Has at least 8 consecutive hours off between each 12-hour period the person is on duty
    • Operates within a 150-air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location.

If you believe a truck driver’s fatigue was a factor in your TX semi-truck wreck, contact the Anderson Injury Lawyers today for a free case review. Our truck accident lawyers may be able to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Texas

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our truck accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711