What are HOS (Hours of Service) for truck drivers?

HOS stands for Hours of Service. It is the maximum allowable driving and working hours for Canadian commercial motor vehicle drivers per day and per work shift. It also defines how much rest a truck driver should have between shifts.

Canada has two duty cycles – a 70 hours, 7-day cycle and a 120 hours, 14-day cycle. It is up to the carrier and driver to declare which cycle is being used in their daily log.

Canadian HOS rules vary from US HOS rules, and drivers that operate cross-border may need to observe both sets of rules.

The Canadian ELD rule mandates the use of Electronic Logging Devices to record daily logs.

Canadian Daily driving rules

While subject to change, here are the Canadian Daily driving rules that are set out in the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313):

• A maximum of 13 hours of Driving time in a day or a work shift. In order to drive again you must be Off-Duty for 8 consecutive hours. Off duty includes Off-Duty and Sleeper.
• No driving after 14 hours of on-duty time in a day or work shift. On-Duty includes “Driving” and “On-Duty Not Driving.”
• No driving after 16 hours of time has elapsed since the start of the day or work shift.
• A mimimum of 10 hours off duty time is required each day or work shift.

This is a guide only, please refer to the Canadian Federal rules or appropriate provincial ministry of transport for the most up to date rules.