Passenger-carrying driving limits.

What the rule says

Section 395.5 is headed Maximum driving time for passenger-carrying vehicles. It opens by making itself subject to the exceptions and exemptions in 395.1. Paragraph (a) reads, as the eCFR showed it on November 2, 2026:

(a) No motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle, nor shall any such driver drive a passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicle: (1) More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or (2) For any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.

Two separate limits apply at once: 10 hours of driving, and no driving after 15 hours on duty. Both run from the end of 8 consecutive hours off duty.

How it differs from property-carrying drivers

The numbers are different, and so is the structure. Property-carrying drivers under 395.3(a) need 10 consecutive hours off duty, have a 14-hour period that runs from coming on duty, and may drive 11 hours inside it. A passenger-carrying driver needs only 8 consecutive hours off duty, may drive 10 hours, and may not drive after 15 hours on duty. The 395.5 text read for this page has no counterpart to the 30-minute driving interruption in 395.3(a)(3)(ii).

The 15-hour limit counts hours on duty, not a window of elapsed time. Section 395.2 defines on-duty time as all the time from when the driver begins work or is required to be in readiness to work until relieved of all responsibility, and it includes all driving time.

Weekly limits

Paragraph (b) of 395.5 tracks 395.3(b): no driving after 60 hours on duty in any 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week, or after 70 hours on duty in any period of 8 consecutive days if it does. Hours for other carriers count, because the paragraph applies regardless of the number of motor carriers using the driver's services.

Exceptions that change the numbers

Because 395.5 is subject to 395.1, exceptions there can change the picture. Adverse driving conditions in 395.1(b)(1) allow up to two additional hours beyond the maximum in 395.5(a). The Alaska provision in 395.1(h)(3)(iii) requires a passenger-carrying driver to be off duty at least 8 consecutive hours after completing the run. The short-haul provision in 395.1(e)(1)(iii)(B) uses at least 8 consecutive hours off duty between each 14 hours on duty for passenger-carrying drivers. This page covers the base limits only.

Worked example

A motor coach driver starts a trip after 8 consecutive hours off duty. By mid-afternoon the driver has driven 7 hours and been on duty 11 hours, including loading and a layover. The driving limit leaves 3 hours (10 minus 7). The on-duty limit leaves 4 hours (15 minus 11). The smaller figure controls, so 3 hours of driving are available. Enter 7 and 11 above to see the calculator give that answer and name driving as the binding limit.

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 subtracts hours from 10 and 15. It does not apply the 60 and 70 hour limits, any exception in 395.1, or other rules that may govern passenger carriers.

Sources

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

• eCFR: 49 CFR 395.5, maximum driving time for passenger-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 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)