There are strict regulations enforced by federal law to ensure truck drivers are getting enough rest and are therefore driving safely when on the road. So just how far can truckers drive in a day?
The federal rule is based on hours, not on distance and a driver is allowed to clock 11 hours maximum over a 14 hour period with at least a 10 hour rest before they return to the road. If the constant speed of the vehicle is 65 MPH, this allows the operator to drive 715 miles per shift, but when accounting traffic or unforeseen trouble on the road this mileage can decrease depending on the driver. How Far Can Truckers Drive?
No matter how much time was spent driving, even if it is less than 11 hours, within those 14 hours, a full 10 hour rest is required for every driver on the road. Along with other regulations, technological tracking, and company policy, there are a few more rules to understand before jumping in your truck for a long haul.
What Are the Regulations for a Trucker’s Maximum Time on the Road?
As well as following the heavily enforced 11 in 14 rule, legally, any trucker cannot operate their rig for more than 8 hours without a 30 minute rest stop.
When this break is taken is at the discretion of the driver and usually takes place at a truck stop for a meal, shower, or a nap.
Not only is there a daily limit, but there is also a weekly maximum that a driver can spend on the road over a 7 or 8 day period. A truck operator cannot spend more than 60 hours driving in 7 days or more than 70 hours in 8 days. Maximum Driving Hours for Truckers
When Can a Trucker Drive for More Than 11 Hours?
Although these rules are fairly steadfast, there are a few exceptions to allow a driver to finish their shift in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- Traffic: If traffic slows to almost a stop or is at a dead stop, the truck’s ELD (electronic logging device) will calculate the hours wasted and allow the pilot to drive longer than the expected 11 hours.
- Weather: In unsavory weather, it is always best to drive with caution. In most cases, that means slowing the vehicle to safe speed which can inhibit mileage within the 11 hour window. If a trucker experiences bad weather along his/her route, they will be granted more driving time within their 14 hour shift.
- Accidents: If a driver, unfortunately, gets into an accident, they will most likely need to stop for a significant amount of time, even if the vehicle has no real damage. Any time spent stopped to deal with the incident will not decrease their hours on the road. Exceptions of the 11 of 14 Rule
Although it may seem that these instances would be hard to track, it is actually extremely difficult to fabricate these special cases with the new technology that is legally required in every truck on the road.
How Does Tracking Affect a Truck Driver’s Hours Logged?
Old school truckers will tell you openly that it was commonplace to fudge the numbers of the paper logbook in order to get their trips completed quickly, either to look good to the boss or to put more money in their own pockets.
In today’s technological age, this is no longer a viable option. Paper logs are a thing of the past; since 2017 every truck on the road is equipped with an ELD that automatically tracks the HOS (hours of service) on any driver or truck within the fleet.
It is essentially impossible to lie to either the company or the government when it comes to logged hours on the road. Although some argue that the technology benefits both the truckers and the other drivers on the road creating a safer, more alert truck driver, others debate that truckers are driving faster and more recklessly in order to complete their trips within the allotted time frame. ELDs and Tracking
Conclusion
Professional truck drivers average 2,500 miles on the road per week, and that is within the HOS regulations put in place by the federal government. To compare, the average American driver only covers 250 miles in their vehicle each week. So no matter which way you look at it, truck drivers spend a whole lot of time behind the wheel, especially compared to almost everyone else on the road. How Many Miles Do Truckers Drive?
If these long distances and extended hours make you anxious to drive around semi-trucks and other big rigs just remember, these operators are professionals and they are also being closely watched by both their companies and the government, ensuring that every truck and driver are running as smoothly and safely as possible.