What is the 16 hour work rule?

The "16-hour work rule" typically refers to the 16-Hour Short-Haul Exception in US trucking (FMCSA regulations), allowing certain short-haul drivers to extend their workday from 14 to 16 hours once every seven days to manage delays like traffic or bad weather, provided they start and end at the same location and meet strict conditions, acting as a safety valve, not a regular scheduling tool. It's distinct from general 16-hour shifts in other industries (like healthcare), where it's a longer, often scheduled shift, but still subject to overtime laws.

How does the 16-hour rule work?

It is your “workday,” the time between your off-duty periods of at least 10 consecutive hours. You must be released from duty within 16 hours after coming on duty. You must only use this exception once every 7 consecutive days (unless you took 34 consecutive hours off to restart a 7/8-day period).

Is it unhealthy to work 16 hours a day?

Human physiology and cognition require regular, sufficient sleep and recovery. Working 16 hours every day or six/seven days a week produces accumulating cognitive impairment, serious health risks, reduced productivity, heightened safety hazards, and social costs.

How often can I use the 16-hour exception?

Not have used the exception in the past six consecutive days: This exception can only be utilized once every seven consecutive days unless the driver completes a 34-hour restart. Cannot qualify for the Non-CDL Short-Haul Exception: Drivers using the Non-CDL Short-Haul Exception are ineligible for the 16-hour rule.

Can you work 16-hour shifts?

Under these regulations, adult workers are typically entitled to a rest period of 11 consecutive hours in every 24-hour period. This provision indicates that, in general, a 16-hour shift could be permissible as long as the 11-hour rest requirement is met.

Hours of Service Crash Course: General Rules, Exemptions and Split Sleeper

What is the longest shift I can legally work?

Is there a limit to how much I can work each day? Yes. You should get 11 hours consecutive rest each day. This means your working day should not be more than 13 hours long in each 24-hour period that you are working for your employer.

Can local drivers work 16 hours a day?

California intrastate HOS rules

Drivers must stop driving for at least 10 hours after 16 hours of work (driving or not). Drivers aren't permitted to drive after being on duty for 80 hours in any given consecutive eight-day period.

What is Trump's new law for CDL drivers?

The Trump Administration is targeting noncitizen commercial drivers, primarily truck drivers, as part of its coordinated actions against immigrant communities. In April, President Trump issued an Executive Order mandating enforcement of English language proficiency requirements for all commercial drivers.

Is a 30-minute break required by Dot?

The 30-minute break rule is a regulation set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that mandates commercial truck drivers to take a break of at least 30 minutes after driving for a consecutive period of eight hours.

What is the healthiest shift to work?

Ideal shift schedule: Late-morning to evening shifts (9 AM–5 PM or 11 AM–7 PM) work best with their sleep cycle. If rotational shifts are necessary: A structured weekly rotation (rather than daily changes) gives your team time to adjust and minimizes sleep disruptions.

What is the 42% rule for burnout?

42% – that's the percentage of time your body and brain need you to spend resting. It's about 10 hours out of every 24. By prioritising rest, we can improve our ability to cope with stress, reduce the risk of burnout, and enhance our overall well-being.

What are signs of overworking your body?

Symptoms of stage 2 overtraining syndrome (sympathetic overtraining syndrome) can include:

• Insomnia.
• Mood changes like feeling irritable, agitated or restless more often than usual.
• Tachycardia (an unusually fast heartbeat, more than 100 beats per minute at rest).
• High blood pressure (hypertension).

How long can you drive before taking a break?

During long trips, take rest breaks about every 2 hours or every 100 kilometres. If you start feeling sleepy or notice any of the warning signs: don't keep driving – pull over in a safe place, as far off the road as possible.

Does 8 hours in the sleeper berth reset your 14?

Based on the rule, any period of time that is part of a split sleeper berth calculation is not counted towards the 14 hour window. Using continual split-sleeper periods, you can keep moving your shift window forward. For example, you can continually do 3 + 7 + 3 + 7 + 3 (or 2 + 8 + 2 + 8) periods.

How to claim a 16 hour short-haul exception?

The FMCSA 16-hour rule allows qualifying short-haul drivers to extend their workday from 14 to 16 hours once every seven days. To use this exception, drivers must start and end at the same location, have 10 consecutive hours off duty between shifts, and not drive more than 11 hours in the 16-hour driving window.

What is the 150 mile dot rule?

The 150-air-mile radius exemption states that if drivers are operating within 150 air-miles of their normal reporting location, they're exempt from hours-of-service regulations, and don't have to complete daily logs or have supporting HOS reporting documentation.

Does Walmart offer $110,000 salary to new drivers?

After they complete the 12-week training course and earn their CDLs, they have a coveted Walmart driving job ready to step into. Walmart drivers can make up to $110,000 in their first year with the company, in addition to the suite of benefits the company offers.

What is the most common dot violation?

The most common DOT violations include speeding, failing to log duty status, and operating without a valid commercial driver's license (CDL). However, understanding a broad range of violations, including those that follow, can help brokers better evaluate the quality of drivers and carriers.

How often can you use the 16 hour rule?

Under the 16-hour rule, the driver can remain on-duty for an extra two hours but must be relieved from duty immediately after the 16th hour. This exception can be invoked one time in each 34-hour reset cycle once the 5-day pattern has been established.

Can you do a 16 hour drive in a day?

If you're up to driving 16 hours in a day that's fine, but you have to be willing to stop if you're tired. I've had an acquaintance die from falling asleep at the wheel and running into a tree. And studies have shown that sleepy drivers can be as dangerous as drunk drivers. Just be careful.

How do ELDs track driver hours?

The ELD works by connecting directly to the truck's Engine Control Module (ECM). As soon as the engine is running and the vehicle begins to move, the device records driving activity such as engine hours, mileage, and vehicle movement without requiring driver input.

How are 16 hour shifts legal?

While federal law says you can schedule someone for a 16-hour shift with no breaks, California requires meal breaks every 5 hours. Oregon mandates 10 hours between shifts.

What is the 8 and 80 rule?

The “8 and 80” exception allows employers to pay one and one-half times the employee's regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 8 in a workday and 80 in a fourteen-day period.

Is it illegal to not take a lunch break?

California Penalties for Lunch & Rest Break Violations

California lunch break laws impose strict penalties, requiring employers to pay workers one additional hour of wages at their regular rate for each day a mandatory lunch break is denied or interrupted.