General – Part 395 

The hours-of-service rules for drivers of passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are different from the rules for property-carrying CMVs. Note that Non-business Private Motor Carriers of Passengers are not subject to the record keeping requirements of this part, such as maintaining a logbook or record of duty status. 

Maximum Driving Time for Passenger – Carrying Vehicles – § 395.5 

No motor carrier of passengers shall permit or require any passenger-carrying CMV driver to drive: 

• More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, or 
• For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. 

No motor carrier of passengers shall permit or require any passenger-carrying CMV driver to drive, regardless of number of motor carriers using the driver’s services, for any period after the driver has been on duty: 

• 60 hours in any 7 consecutive days if the carrier does not operate CMVs every day of the week; or 
• 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days if the carrier operates CMVs every day of the week. 

Off-Duty Time 

“Off-duty time” is not specifically defined in the regulations. In effect, it is any time that is not “driving time,” “on-duty time,” or “sleeper berth” as defined in § 395.2. 

The following guidelines must be met before a driver is considered off duty for meal and other routine stops made during a work shift: 

1. The driver must be relieved of all duty and responsibility for the care and custody of the bus or passenger-carrying CMV, its accessories, and any passengers, baggage and freight that it may be transporting.

2. During the stop, and for the duration of the stop, the driver must be at liberty to pursue activities of his/her own choosing.

On-Duty Time – § 395.2 

On-duty time means all time from the time a driver begins work or is required to be in readiness for work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all responsibilities for performing work. Performing other compensated work for a person who is not a motor 
carrier is also on-duty time. The complete definition of on-duty time can be found in § 395.2. 

Travel Time – § 395.1(j) 

When a driver at the direction of a motor carrier is traveling, but not driving any vehicle or assuming any other responsibility to the carrier (“cushioning”), such time shall be counted as on-duty time unless the driver is afforded at least 8 consecutive hours off duty when arriving at destination, in which case he/she shall be 
considered off duty for the entire period. 

Relief Drivers 

On long-distance trips requiring straight-through driving, motorcoach companies may send a relief driver ahead. 

1. In cases when the driver is driven or uses public transportation to get to a layover location, and the driver has 8 consecutive hours off duty after arriving, travel time may be recorded as off duty. 
2. If the CMV driver drives him/herself in a non-CMV, time spent driving the non-CMV to a layover location must be recorded as on duty, not driving. 

Exception – § 395.1(e) 

A driver is exempt from the logbook or record of duty status requirements if he/she operates within a 150 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location and is released from duty within 14 consecutive hours or less. 

Sleeper Berth – § 395.1(g)(3) 

A driver who is driving a passenger-carrying CMV that is equipped with a sleeper berth, as defined in § 393.76, may accumulate the equivalent of 8 consecutive hours off-duty time by taking two periods of rest in the sleeper berth, provided that the four requirements of § 395.1(g)(3)(i) - (iv) are met. 

Multiple Employer Driver – § 395.8(j) 

Some passenger carriers make frequent use of part-time and multiple-employer drivers. When using a driver intermittently, obtain a signed statement from the driver that indicates the total time on duty during the preceding 7 days and the time at which the driver was last relieved from duty prior to using such driver. All compensated work for a motor carrier or a non-motor carrier is on-duty time. 

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Regulations

The ELD regulations apply to most motor carriers of passengers and their drivers who are required to keep a record of duty status. These regulations apply to drivers domiciled in Canada and Mexico when operating within the United States, unless they qualify for an exception. 

Exceptions to the ELD Regulations: 

1. Drivers who are required to prepare a record of duty status no more than 8 days during any 30-day period. 
2. Driveaway-towaway operations if the vehicle is part of the shipment (for example, transporting an empty vehicle for sale, lease, or repair).
3. Drivers of vehicles manufactured before model year 2000. 

Motor carriers of passengers must choose only ELDs that are self-certified and registered on FMCSA’s website. To get more ELD information, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/elds.