HOS Clocks
Your HOS (Hours of Service) clocks are countdown timers that show you exactly how much time you have left before reaching a federal driving or duty limit. They are always visible on your home screen so you can plan your day and avoid violations.
What Are HOS Clocks?
Section titled “What Are HOS Clocks?”Think of HOS clocks as timers counting down toward zero. Each clock tracks a different limit set by FMCSA regulations. When a clock reaches zero, you have hit that limit and must stop driving or take a required break. Keeping an eye on your clocks helps you plan your stops, breaks, and rest periods before time runs out.
The Four Clocks
Section titled “The Four Clocks”1. Driving Time (11-Hour Limit)
Section titled “1. Driving Time (11-Hour Limit)”This clock shows how many hours of driving time you have left in your current shift.
- Rule: You may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- What counts: Only time spent in the Driving status counts against this clock.
- Reset: This clock resets after you take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty (or an equivalent sleeper berth split).
2. Shift Time (14-Hour Limit)
Section titled “2. Shift Time (14-Hour Limit)”This clock shows how much time is left in your on-duty window from the moment you start working.
- Rule: You cannot drive after being on duty for 14 consecutive hours from the start of your workday.
- What counts: The 14-hour window begins the moment you go On Duty or start Driving, and it keeps ticking regardless of whether you take breaks during the shift. Off Duty and Sleeper Berth time during your shift does not pause this clock (with some split sleeper berth exceptions).
- Reset: This clock resets after you take at least 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Note: The 14-hour clock runs continuously once your shift starts. Even if you take a 2-hour off-duty break in the middle of the day, the 14-hour window still counts that time. Plan accordingly.
3. Break Time (30-Minute Break Requirement)
Section titled “3. Break Time (30-Minute Break Requirement)”This clock shows how much driving time you can accumulate before a 30-minute break is required.
- Rule: You must take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes before you have driven for 8 cumulative hours without a break.
- What counts: Driving time accumulates toward the 8-hour threshold. A qualifying break can be Off Duty, Sleeper Berth, or On Duty (Not Driving) time of at least 30 consecutive minutes.
- Reset: This clock resets each time you complete a qualifying 30-minute break.
Tip: Plan your fuel stops and meal breaks to coincide with your 30-minute break requirement. This way, you satisfy the rule naturally without losing extra time.
4. Cycle Time (70-Hour or 60-Hour Limit)
Section titled “4. Cycle Time (70-Hour or 60-Hour Limit)”This clock shows how many total on-duty hours you have left in your current cycle.
- Rule: You cannot drive after accumulating 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days (most common for carriers operating 7 days a week) or 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days (for carriers not operating every day of the week). Your fleet manager sets which cycle applies to you.
- What counts: All On Duty and Driving time over the rolling 7- or 8-day period.
- Reset: This clock can be fully reset by taking a 34-hour restart (34 or more consecutive hours off duty). It also recalculates daily as older days roll off the cycle window.
Split Sleeper Berth Toggle
Section titled “Split Sleeper Berth Toggle”If your company’s HOS rules allow it, you may see a Split Sleeper Berth toggle option near your clocks. When enabled, this lets you split your required 10-hour off-duty period into two separate periods (for example, a 7/3 split or an 8/2 split) using the sleeper berth. The app recalculates your clocks accordingly when this option is active.
Note: Split sleeper berth rules are complex. If you are not sure whether this applies to you, check with your fleet manager or safety department before using this feature.
Warning Notifications
Section titled “Warning Notifications”As your clocks count down, the RouteMate app sends you notifications so you are never caught off guard:
| Time Remaining | Notification |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | Heads-up that you are approaching a limit. |
| 30 minutes | Plan to wrap up driving or take a break soon. |
| 15 minutes | Find a safe stopping point now. |
| 5 minutes | You are very close to the limit. |
| 2 minutes | Stop immediately or take the required action. |
These warnings appear as push notifications and are also shown as alerts within the app. The clock display changes color as you get closer to zero — typically moving from green to yellow to red.
Tip: Do not wait until the last notification to stop. Give yourself a buffer in case you cannot find a safe parking spot right away. Starting to look for a stop at the 30-minute warning is a good habit.
What Happens When a Clock Runs Out
Section titled “What Happens When a Clock Runs Out”When any clock reaches zero:
- You must stop driving. Continuing to drive after a clock has expired is an HOS violation.
- The app will clearly indicate that you have reached your limit.
- The violation is recorded in your logs and will be visible to your fleet manager and any inspector reviewing your records.
- Depending on the clock, you will need to take the appropriate rest period to reset it before you can drive again.
Note: HOS violations can result in fines, out-of-service orders during roadside inspections, and negative impacts on your company’s safety record. Always take your clocks seriously.
Related Pages
Section titled “Related Pages”- Duty Status Changes — Understand how your status affects your HOS clocks.
- HOS Preferences — Adjust your HOS rule set, cycle type, and other preferences.
- Glossary — Look up terms like “cycle time,” “split sleeper berth,” and more.