What is the maximum allowable on-duty time before a driver must take off-duty time?

The answer reflects the regulations set forth by the National Safety Code concerning hours of service for commercial drivers. Drivers are allowed to be on-duty for a maximum of 14 consecutive hours after coming on-duty, which includes all time spent driving and working but not including required off-duty periods. This rule is designed to prevent fatigue and ensure driver safety by mandating breaks after a certain amount of on-duty time.

After reaching this limit of 14 hours on-duty, a driver must take a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off-duty in order to reset their on-duty hours. This regulation is crucial for maintaining safety on the roads by ensuring that drivers do not operate vehicles while fatigued. Understanding this limit is essential for enforcing compliance and promoting safe driving practices within the industry.