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Cross-border HOS Regulations
September 2, 2021

Cross-border HOS Regulations

On June 12, 2021, full enforcement of the federal rule for electronic logging devices (ELDs) for trucking fleets operating in Canada came into effect. The ELD mandate requires truck drivers who follow HOS regulations to switch from paper logbooks to ELDS.

This rule affects both Canadian trucking fleets and U.S. fleets that travel to and from Canada. Hours of service (HOS) regulations also differ in the U.S. and Canada as the ELD rule is implemented into the industry.

What Are Hours of Service?

Hours of service (HOS) refer to the maximum working hours allowed for commercial drivers in a given time period. HOS limits vary for property and passenger-carrying drivers, as well as for the U.S. and Canada.

Canadian HOS

Current Canadian HOS regulations limit drivers to 13 hours of consecutive driving time in a 16-hour work shift, with a minimum of eight consecutive off-duty hours. In addition, truck drivers in Canada must stop driving after 70 hours over seven consecutive days, or 120 hours over 14 consecutive days. All drivers are required to take off 24-consecutive hours of their off-duty time during a 14-day period.

Differences Between Canadian and U.S. HOS

When driving between the United States and Canada, it’s important for fleet operators and drivers to be informed of the differences in HOS regulations. The following are key differences between U.S. and Canadian HOS regulations:

  • In the U.S., drivers can operate for 15 on-duty hours, while in Canada, drivers must be done after 14 on-duty hours.
    Drivers are subject to the record of duty status (RODS) requirements of the country in which they are currently operating:

    • Drivers operating in the U.S. must have their daily RODS for the current and past seven consecutive days.
    • Drivers operating in Canada must have their daily RODS for the past 14 consecutive days, as well as supporting documents for the current trip.
  • For a CMV driver of passengers in the U.S., the maximum driving time is 10 hours after having eight hours consecutively off duty. There is no differentiation between those driving goods or property and those driving passengers in Canada.
  • The 30-minute break guideline for the U.S. states that driving isn’t permitted if more than eight hours have passed “the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeper-berth period or 30-minute break after eight cumulative—not consecutive—hours of CMV driving.” In Canada, however, drivers must use off-duty time in blocks no shorter than 30 minutes.

Review all of the HOS regulation differences here.

For more best practices, or to find out how to reduce your trucking insurance costs call CMB at 780.424.2727 or click here to get a quote.