Sleep laws for truck drivers refer to regulations that govern the number of hours of rest that commercial truck drivers are required to have in order to operate their vehicles safely. These laws are designed to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue, which is a common problem in the trucking industry.

The specific sleep laws for truck drivers vary depending on the jurisdiction, but in the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the regulations.

Hours-of-Service Regulations

According to the FMCSA, commercial truck drivers are required to follow the following hours-of-service regulations:

1. 11-Hour Driving Limit: Truck drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
2. 14-Hour Limit: Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.
3. Rest Breaks: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.
4. 60/70-Hour Limit: Drivers may not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
5. Sleeper Berth Provision: Drivers using the sleeper berth provision must take at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a separate 2 consecutive hours either in the sleeper berth, off duty, or any combination of the two.

It is important for truck drivers to follow these regulations in order to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue, which can have serious consequences for both the driver and other people on the road.

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