14-hour driving window.

What the rule says

The 14-hour rule is paragraph (a)(2) of 49 CFR 395.3. The text read on November 2, 2026:

(2) 14-hour period. A driver may not drive after a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on-duty following 10 consecutive hours off-duty.

The rule sits inside a list that starts with (a)(1), under which a driver may not drive without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. Together, the 10 hours off duty starts a shift and the first moment on duty starts the 14-hour clock.

What it limits, and what it does not

The text limits driving. A driver may be on duty after the 14th hour, doing paperwork or loading, but may not drive. The word consecutive matters too: the 14 hours run continuously from coming on duty, so a long wait for a load, a meal or a stretch off duty during the day is still inside the 14 hours.

Inside the window, the driver may drive a total of 11 hours (395.3(a)(3)(i)) and must take a 30-minute interruption in driving once more than 8 hours of driving time have passed (395.3(a)(3)(ii)). The window is the outer boundary; the 11 hours and the 30-minute interruption apply inside it.

The sleeper berth exception to the clock

Section 395.1(g)(1)(iii)(B) says the 14-hour driving window for purposes of 395.3(a)(2) does not include qualifying rest periods under paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of that section. That paragraph covers two periods of sleeper berth time, or sleeper berth and off-duty time, where neither is shorter than 2 consecutive hours, one is at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, and the total is at least 10 hours. Calculating the window with a qualifying split is outside this page's simple arithmetic; see the sleeper berth text in 395.1(g).

Adverse driving conditions

Under 395.1(b)(1), a driver who meets the adverse driving conditions test may drive for not more than two additional hours beyond the maximum allowable hours permitted under 395.3(a). The calculator above shows the unextended 14-hour end time.

Worked example

A driver comes on duty at 06:00 after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The window ends at 20:00, 14 hours later. The driver spends 3 hours at a shipper waiting to load and 1 hour at lunch; both count against the window. At 15:00, 9 hours have elapsed, so 5 hours of window remain, even though the driver may have driven less than 9 hours. Enter 06:00 and 9 above to see that. A window that starts at 14:00 ends at 04:00 the next day, which the calculator labels as next day.

Limits of this page

This page repeats what the rule says and does no more. Whether a particular trip, load or day complies is a question for the motor carrier, its compliance staff or counsel. The calculator adds 14 hours to the time you enter. It does not model a sleeper berth split, adverse driving conditions or the short-haul provisions, and it takes the start time on trust.

Sources

Sources opened and read November 2, 2026. Rule text quoted from the eCFR, which was current through October 29, 2026.

• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)
• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.1, scope of rules in this part (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)
• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.2, definitions (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)