California’s differentiating factors
California’s Hours of Service (HOS) rules differ from federal regulations. The state has specific rules and driving limits for intrastate drivers. These differences reflect the state’s unique conditions.
California has heavy agricultural activity, port congestion, and urban traffic. Also, trucking in California is subject to some of the strictest environmental and labor regulations in the country. The state enforces stringent standards against greenhouse gas emissions through the California Air Resources Board (CARB), pushing for cleaner vehicles since 2008.
Furthermore, California is a key logistics hub with busy ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach which handle a lot of freight. As an example, the Central Valley supplies one quarter of the nation’s food.
Therefore, California-based carriers deal with heavy traffic and many rules that can affect their operations. Following hours of service (HOS) rules is important for running operations smoothly and meeting state and federal safety standards.
California-based carriers must adhere to two different sets of regulations based on where they operate:
- Interstate trucking (crossing state lines): governed by federal HOS regulations.
- Intrastate trucking (operating solely within California): governed by California’s state-specific HOS rules.
How California’s HOS rules differ from federal regulations
Compared to federal rules, California’s intrastate HOS regulations give drivers:
- More driving time per shift: 12 hours (instead of 11 hours), which gives local haulers more flexibility
- A longer work window: a 16-hour work shift (instead of 14 hours), which can be less stressful for drivers
- A different cycle cap: 80 hours in 8 days (instead of 70 hours)
- A different ELD exemption: 100 air-mile radius (instead of 150 air miles)
- More flexibility for agricultural hauling: seasonal HOS exemptions
More on the 100-mile radius exemption
Drivers who work within 100 miles of their terminal may not have to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to record their hours of service if they meet certain criteria.
- They return to the terminal at the end of each workday.
- They end their shift within 12 hours of starting work (including both driving and on-duty time).
- They take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new shift.
Recap : federal vs. California HOS rules
| Federal (Interstate) | California (Intrastate) | |
| Rest Requirement | 10 consecutive hours | 10 consecutive hours (no difference) |
| Max Driving Time | 11 hours per shift | 12 hours per shift |
| Max On-Duty Time | 14 hours | 16 hours |
| Cycle Limit | 70 hours in 8 days (or 60 in 7 days) | 80 hours in 8 days |
| ELD Exemption | No ELD needed if a driver :
| No ELD needed if a driver :
|
Things to keep in mind when hauling in California
- Use the extra driving hour safely.
The 12-hour drive time is great for drivers, but they need to watch the 80-hour cycle limit—going over it will lead to fines, compliance issues, and driver downtime. - Be mindful of driver fatigue.
California’s 80-hour cap means drivers need to plan ahead. More driving time doesn’t just increase earnings – it also raises the risk of fatigue-related accidents. - Take advantage of agricultural exemptions.
Certain seasonal exemptions let agricultural haulers extend hours during peak harvest times. Check if you qualify. - Know when to switch between state and federal rules.
If a truck crosses state lines, the driver needs to take 34 hours off to reset to federal rules.
Common questions from California-based carriers
Can a driver combine sleeper berth and off-duty time to meet the required 10-hour rest period?
Yes, a driver may combine sleeper berth and off-duty time to satisfy the mandatory 10-hour rest requirement.
Can I split the 10-hour rest period into segments?
Yes, drivers may split their rest periods under the following conditions:
- One rest period must be at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth.
- The other rest period must last at least 2 hours, spent either off duty, in the sleeper berth, or both.
- The total driving time before and after each rest period must not exceed 12 hours.
- The total on-duty time, excluding the 8-hour sleeper berth period, must not exceed 16 hours.
What are the carrier’s responsibilities for tracking hours when a driver is exempt from using an ELD?
- To respect regulations, the carrier must keep records of driver hours. This includes both on duty and driving hours. These records must be kept for at least six months.
- There is no required format for recording hours, as long as the carrier can provide the necessary records upon request.
When must a driver switch back to federal HOS regulations after leaving California?
A driver must take 34 consecutive hours off duty before transitioning from California’s HOS regulations back to federal rules.
Conclusion
California’s HOS regulations differ from federal rules, to maintain driver and road safety while addressing the state’s unique challenges. California, recognized as the top agricultural center in the country, boasts regions like the Central Valley and North Coast that significantly contribute to intrastate trucking, especially for transporting produce. Combined with heavy port operations, dense city traffic, and high operating costs, California is faced with challenging operation conditions. Nonetheless, regulatory compliance is essential for maintaining safe and efficient operations.
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