Canada Long Haul Driver Schedule Guide
Master Canadian hours of service regulations, plan compliant schedules, and optimize your driving time
📋 Quick Reference: Daily Limits
📖 Understanding Canadian Hours of Service
Canadian Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue and improve road safety. These federal rules apply to all commercial drivers operating vehicles requiring a commercial driver's license.
⚖️ Legal Authority
HOS regulations are enforced under the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313) and administered by Transport Canada. Violations can result in fines, out-of-service orders, and impact your safety rating.
🕐 The Four Key Daily Limits
1. Maximum Driving Time: 13 Hours
You cannot drive after accumulating 13 hours of driving time following at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
Example:
- • Start shift after 10 hours off-duty at 6:00 AM
- • Drive 5 hours (6:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
- • Take 30-minute break
- • Drive 8 more hours (11:30 AM - 7:30 PM)
- • MUST STOP - 13 hours of driving completed
2. Maximum On-Duty Time: 14 Hours
You cannot be on-duty (driving + other work) for more than 14 hours following at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
On-Duty Activities Include:
- • Driving the vehicle
- • Loading/unloading cargo
- • Pre-trip and post-trip inspections
- • Fueling and vehicle maintenance
- • Completing paperwork at shipper/receiver
- • Waiting to load/unload (if not in sleeper berth)
3. Mandatory Off-Duty Time: 10 Hours
After 13 hours driving or 14 hours on-duty (whichever comes first), you must take at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty before driving again.
Off-Duty Time Can Include:
- • Sleeping in sleeper berth
- • Resting at truck stop or rest area
- • Personal activities (eating, showering)
- • Time spent as passenger in moving vehicle
⚠️ Cannot be interrupted - must be continuous 10 hours
4. Daily Off-Duty Requirement: 8 Hours
You must have at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty in every 24-hour period, starting from the last time you took 8+ hours off-duty.
Important Note:
This is the minimum daily rest. Most drivers take the full 10-hour break to reset both their driving and on-duty limits for the next day.
🔄 Understanding Duty Cycles
In addition to daily limits, drivers must choose between two duty cycles that limit total on-duty hours over multiple days:
⚠️ Cycle Reset Rules
Cycle 1 Reset: Take 36 consecutive hours off-duty to reset your 70-hour count to zero.
Cycle 2 Reset: Take 72 consecutive hours (3 days) off-duty to reset your 120-hour count to zero.
Most drivers track cycles using a rolling calculation - hours "fall off" after 7 or 14 days automatically.
📅 Sample Daily Schedule
Typical Long-Haul Day (11-Hour Drive Day)
📊 Daily Summary
✓ All limits compliant | ✓ Can drive 13 hours tomorrow if needed
⚠️ Common Violations & How to Avoid Them
❌ Driving Over 13 Hours
Violation: Continuing to drive after accumulating 13 hours of driving time.
Prevention Tips:
- • Use ELD/logbook to track driving hours in real-time
- • Plan routes with buffer time for delays
- • Start looking for parking 30-60 minutes before limit
- • Never push through if close to limit
❌ Insufficient Off-Duty Time
Violation: Taking less than 10 consecutive hours off-duty before driving again.
Prevention Tips:
- • Set alarm for minimum 10-hour break
- • Don't interrupt break for ANY on-duty activity
- • If using split sleeper berth, understand the rules thoroughly
- • Account for time zone changes in calculations
❌ Logbook Errors
Violation: Inaccurate or incomplete daily logs, missing signatures, incorrect status changes.
Prevention Tips:
- • Use certified ELD system (mandatory for most drivers)
- • Review logs daily for accuracy
- • Keep supporting documents (fuel receipts, bills of lading)
- • Understand how to make corrections properly
❌ Cycle Violations
Violation: Exceeding 70 hours (Cycle 1) or 120 hours (Cycle 2) on-duty in the cycle period.
Prevention Tips:
- • Track cumulative hours daily using ELD or manual calculation
- • Plan reset days in advance
- • Choose cycle that fits your typical schedule
- • Don't switch cycles mid-period without proper reset
💰 Penalties for HOS Violations
For Drivers:
- • Fines: $250 - $2,000+ per violation
- • Out-of-service orders (immediate shutdown)
- • Safety rating impacts
- • License suspension (severe/repeated violations)
For Carriers:
- • Fines: $1,000 - $10,000+ per violation
- • Conditional/unsatisfactory safety rating
- • Increased inspection frequency
- • Operating authority suspension possible
📱 ELD Mandate
Most Canadian commercial drivers must use certified Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to record hours of service.
Who Needs ELDs?
- • Drivers operating vehicles ≥4,500 kg (most trucks)
- • Commercial drivers under HOS regulations
- • Vehicles engaged in interprovincial/international trade
Exemptions
- • Pre-2000 vehicles (temporary)
- • Drivers with paper log exemption
- • Short-haul drivers (within 160km radius)
- • Rental vehicles (under 30 days)
⚠️ ELD Requirements
- • Must be Transport Canada certified
- • Automatically record driving time
- • Sync with vehicle's engine
- • Allow data transfer to inspectors
- • Retain 14 days of data minimum
💡 Pro Driver Tips
Trip Planning
Plan routes assuming 50 mph average, not 65 mph. Traffic, weather, and stops always add time.
Parking Strategy
Start looking for parking 1-2 hours before your limit. Popular truck stops fill up early.
Time Management
Front-load driving hours when possible. Delays happen - protect your schedule with buffers.
Communication
Update dispatch early if delays threaten HOS compliance. Never compromise safety for a deadline.
🛏️ Split Sleeper Berth Provision
The split sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two separate rest periods, providing more flexibility for scheduling.
How It Works
Option 1: 8+2 Split
- • Take 8 consecutive hours in sleeper berth
- • Plus 2 consecutive hours off-duty or sleeper
- • Neither period counts against 14-hour clock
Option 2: 7+3 Split
- • Take 7 consecutive hours in sleeper berth
- • Plus 3 consecutive hours off-duty or sleeper
- • Neither period counts against 14-hour clock
Example Schedule
6:00 AM - Drive 5 hours
Complete first driving segment
11:00 AM - 8 hour sleeper berth
First rest period (doesn't count toward limits)
7:00 PM - Drive 6 hours
Resume driving with refreshed hours
1:00 AM - 2 hour break
Complete split berth requirement
⚠️ Important Rules for Split Sleeper Berth
- • Both periods must be consecutive (no interruptions)
- • Shorter period must be at least 2 hours (in 8+2) or 3 hours (in 7+3)
- • Longer period must be in sleeper berth (not just off-duty)
- • 10 total hours still required (8+2 or 7+3)
- • Complex to track - use ELD split-berth function
- • When in doubt, take full 10-hour break instead
🌨️ Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
When unexpected adverse conditions arise during a trip, drivers may extend their driving window by up to 2 hours to reach their destination or a safe haven.
What Qualifies as "Adverse"?
- • Snow, sleet, fog, or other bad weather
- • Unexpected traffic delays (accidents, road closures)
- • Emergency conditions
- • Natural disasters
Does NOT Qualify:
- • Conditions you knew about before starting
- • Regular traffic congestion
- • Shipper/receiver delays
- • Mechanical breakdowns
- • Poor trip planning
📝 Using the Exception
1. Conditions Must Be Unexpected
Arose after you began the trip or work shift
2. Maximum Extension: 2 Hours
Can drive up to 15 hours (instead of 13)
3. Document Everything
Note in logbook: date, time, location, conditions encountered
4. Use Rarely
Frequent use suggests poor planning, may trigger audits
Note: This exception extends driving time only. You still must take your full 10-hour off-duty break before driving again. Some provinces may have additional restrictions.
🇺🇸 Cross-Border HOS Considerations
Drivers crossing between Canada and the United States must understand the differences in HOS regulations and know which rules apply.
| Rule | Canada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Driving Time | 13 hours | 11 hours |
| Maximum On-Duty Time | 14 hours | 14 hours |
| Minimum Off-Duty | 10 hours consecutive | 10 hours consecutive |
| Cycle 1 | 70 hrs / 7 days | 60 hrs / 7 days |
| Cycle 2 | 120 hrs / 14 days | 70 hrs / 8 days |
| 30-Minute Break | Not required | After 8 hrs driving |
📍 Which Rules Apply?
Operating in Canada: Follow Canadian HOS rules
Operating in USA: Follow US FMCSA rules
Key Point: Rules change at the border, not based on carrier location or trip origin
💡 Cross-Border Tips
- • Track hours under both rule sets if crossing frequently
- • Most ELDs can switch between CA/US modes
- • When entering US, immediately comply with US 30-min break rule
- • Keep 8 days of logs available for both countries
🔄 Transitioning Between Rules
When crossing the border, you don't get "fresh" hours. Your previous driving/on-duty time still counts, but future limits follow the new country's rules.
Example:
- • Drive 10 hours in Canada (3 hours remaining under Canadian rules)
- • Cross into USA
- • Now limited to 1 more hour of driving (11-hour US limit minus 10 already driven)
- • Must take 10-hour break regardless of which country you're in
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive after 14 hours if I haven't driven 13 hours yet?
No. Once you've been on-duty for 14 hours (including driving and non-driving work), you cannot drive until you take a 10-hour off-duty break. The 14-hour limit ends your workday regardless of how many hours you've actually driven.
What if I'm stuck in traffic and about to hit my limit?
You must find the nearest safe place to stop once you reach your limit. If adverse conditions (like unexpected traffic from an accident) arose during your trip, you may be able to use the 2-hour adverse conditions exception, but regular traffic doesn't qualify. Plan ahead to avoid this situation.
Do I need 10 hours off-duty or can I take 8 hours?
You need at least 10 consecutive hours off-duty before you can drive again after reaching either your 13-hour driving limit or 14-hour on-duty limit. The 8-hour minimum refers to daily off-duty requirements within each 24-hour period, but most drivers take the full 10 hours to reset their limits.
How do I calculate my cycle hours?
Your ELD should calculate this automatically. If tracking manually: for Cycle 1, add up all on-duty hours from the previous 7 days. For Cycle 2, add up the previous 14 days. Hours "roll off" as old days drop out of the calculation window. Most drivers hit cycle limits within 5-6 days and need to take a reset.
Can I switch between Cycle 1 and Cycle 2?
Yes, but you must declare the switch and take the appropriate reset period for the new cycle before operating under it. Most carriers choose one cycle and stick with it for consistency. Consult with your carrier before switching cycles.
What happens during inspections?
Inspectors will review your ELD or paper logs for the current day plus the previous 7-14 days (depending on your cycle). They check for: proper status changes, required off-duty time, staying within daily/cycle limits, accurate supporting documents, and proper ELD functioning. Always have your logs ready and accurate.
Plan Your Routes with Canada Tolls
Access our toll road database and route planning tools to optimize your long-haul schedules while managing costs.