Who must comply with driver's hours of service regulations?

Drivers operating Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), as well as those engaged in interstate and intrastate commerce, are required to adhere to the driver's hours of service regulations. These regulations are put in place to ensure safety on the roads by limiting the number of hours a driver can spend behind the wheel without adequate rest. This is crucial because fatigue is a significant factor in many accidents involving CMVs.

The regulations apply to a broad range of commercial driving contexts, covering both interstate (between states) and intrastate (within a single state) operations. This means that as long as a driver is operating a vehicle that falls under the definition of a commercial motor vehicle — typically those meeting weight and purpose criteria set by the FMCSA — they are subject to these regulations.

While personal vehicle drivers, drivers only working within state lines, and just passenger vehicle drivers might have their own sets of rules or requirements, the comprehensive hours of service regulations are specifically designed for those in commercial driving roles to maintain safety standards across the industry.