Keith Mack
Canada's trucking industry is an essential component of the country's economy, with truck drivers facing unique challenges due to the country's vast size and diverse topography. To ensure safety, truck drivers must adhere to strict rules and regulations, including those outlined in the National Safety Code (NSC). One such regulation is the Hours of Service (HOS) rules, which set maximum limits on driving time, on-duty time, and the number of hours elapsed since the last rest period. Canada has two HOS duty cycles: Cycle 1, spanning 7 days, and Cycle 2, spanning 14 days. This article will focus on Cycle 1 and how it specifically applies to truck drivers in Canada.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cycle length | 7 days |
| Maximum on-duty time | 70 hours in 7 days |
| Maximum driving time | 13 hours after 8 consecutive hours off-duty |
| Minimum off-duty time | 8 hours |
| Reset time | 36 consecutive hours off-duty |
| Switch to Cycle 2 | At least 72 hours off-duty |
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What You'll Learn
Cycle 1's duty hours and reset rules
Cycle 1 is a 7-day schedule with a required 36-hour off-duty reset period. During this reset period, drivers must not drive after accumulating 70 on-duty hours. This reset period can be split into two periods if the driver is in a sleeper berth. However, neither period can be less than 2 hours, and the total of these two periods must be a minimum of 10 hours.
Drivers can complete work shifts that extend over two days. For example, a driver using Cycle 1 who has logged 10 hours of “on-duty” time each day for 6 days is allowed 10 hours of “on-duty” time on the 7th day before having to stop driving. If the driver logs these 10 hours of “on-duty” time and stops to rest, they will have another 10 hours of on-duty time available the next day. It is important to note that a driver must stop driving but doesn’t have to stop all “on-duty” activity outside of driving.
In Canada, drivers must take at least 24 consecutive hours of off-duty time in any 14-day period. This off-duty time can be deferred for up to 2 hours to the next consecutive day. However, this deferred time cannot be part of a mandatory 8-hour rest break needed to reset the rules.
Additionally, drivers must follow specific rules regarding their daily logs and supporting documents. When operating in Canada, drivers must have their daily logs for the current day and the preceding 14 days, as well as supporting documents for the current trip.
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Driving time and rest period limits
HOS rules set maximum limits on driving time, "on-duty" time, and the number of hours elapsed since the last rest period. Under Cycle 1, drivers are not permitted to continue driving past these limits. Specifically, when operating under Cycle 1 in Canada, drivers cannot drive after accumulating 70 on-duty hours within a 7-day period. This 7-day cycle is a rolling timeframe, meaning that the 7-day period used to calculate the 70-hour limit shifts forward by one day, every day.
To reset their duty hours to zero, drivers must take a 36-hour consecutive off-duty period under Cycle 1. This reset period allows drivers to start accumulating on-duty and driving hours again. It is worth noting that a day is typically defined as a 24-hour period from midnight to midnight, but drivers can choose a different 24-hour period if needed.
Within a day, work shifts are periods of activity between two off-duty periods of at least eight consecutive hours. Work shifts can vary in length and may even extend across two days. To maintain alertness and comply with HOS rules, drivers often take an 8-hour off-duty period with two 1-hour breaks during the day.
Additionally, Canada's HOS rules offer a "split-sleeper berth provision," allowing drivers to split their required consecutive off-duty time into two periods when using a sleeper berth. This provision provides flexibility for drivers to manage their rest periods effectively.
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On-duty time and off-duty time
Canada's hours of service (HOS) rules govern the maximum allowable working hours for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). These rules are in place to help truck drivers stay safe and alert while on-duty.
Canada has two duty cycles: Cycle 1, which is 7 days in length, and Cycle 2, which is 14 days in length. Cycles represent a set length of time but are not set at a particular point in time. In other words, they are a rolling timeframe. The 7 or 14 days used to calculate 70-hour or 120-hour limits shift forward by one day, every day.
Under Cycle 1, no driving may be done after accumulating 70 on-duty hours in 7 days. This can be achieved by having 10 hours of "on-duty" time each day for 6 days, followed by 10 hours of "on-duty" time on the 7th day, after which the driver must stop driving. However, the driver can continue with "on-duty" activity outside of driving. After this period of "off-duty" time, the "on-duty" hours logged over the past 7 days are reset, and the driver will have another 10 hours of "on-duty" time available the next day.
Under Cycle 2, no driving may be done after accumulating 120 on-duty hours in 14 days. To reset a shift and restart on-duty and driving hours, drivers need to be off-duty for 8 consecutive hours. In the preceding 14 days, drivers must also have a 24-hour period of consecutive off-duty hours.
It is important to note that these rules overlap with day and work shift limits, which can create complexity. Work shifts can extend over two days, but this can be avoided by selecting a day start time that aligns with the work shift start time.
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Work shifts and day overlaps
In Canada, a 'day' refers to a 24-hour period that typically starts at midnight and ends at 11:59 pm. However, drivers can choose any 24-hour period they prefer. A work shift is the period of activity between two off-duty periods of at least eight consecutive hours. Work shifts can vary in length and may even span two days.
To avoid the complexity that arises from the overlap of day and work shift periods, drivers can align the start of their day with the start of their work shift. This means that the day and work shift would begin and end at the same time.
Canada has two duty cycles: Cycle 1, which is seven days long, and Cycle 2, which is 14 days long. These cycles are not set periods but rather rolling timeframes. For example, a driver following Cycle 1 who has worked for 10 hours every day for six days will still be allowed to work for 10 hours on the seventh day. After this, they must take a break, but their 'on-duty' time can continue. Once the required break time has been taken, the cycle resets, and the driver can accumulate another 70 hours of 'on-duty' time.
To switch from Cycle 1 to Cycle 2, a driver must take at least 36 consecutive hours off-duty, and to switch from Cycle 2 to Cycle 1, they must take at least 72 consecutive hours off-duty.
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Canadian traffic rules
The NSC contains 16 standards that cover various aspects of truck driving, including hours of service, medical requirements, vehicle maintenance, and safe loading. Hours of service (HOS) rules set the maximum allowable working hours for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and are in place to ensure that drivers stay safe and alert while on duty. Canada has two HOS duty cycles: Cycle 1, which is 7 days long, and Cycle 2, which is 14 days long. These cycles are rolling timeframes that are not set at a particular point in time.
Under Cycle 1, a driver may not accumulate more than 70 hours of on-duty time in 7 days. Under Cycle 2, the limit is 120 hours of on-duty time in 14 days. To reset a shift and restart on-duty and driving hours, drivers need to be off-duty for 8 consecutive hours. This reset period is 36 consecutive hours for Cycle 1 and 72 consecutive hours for Cycle 2. Additionally, drivers must take at least 24 consecutive hours of off-duty time in any 14-day period.
Other Canadian traffic rules that all drivers must follow include obeying traffic lights and road signs, adhering to speed limits, not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not using a handheld device while driving. Due to their size and weight, trucks require more time to accelerate, decelerate, and stop, so truck drivers need to exercise extra caution, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and allow ample space when turning or changing lanes.
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Frequently asked questions
Cycle 1 is a 7-day schedule with a required 36-hour off-duty reset period, while Cycle 2 is a 14-day schedule with a required 72-hour off-duty reset period.
HOS rules govern the maximum allowable working hours for drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). These rules help truck drivers stay safe and alert while on duty.
Canadian HOS rules are generally less restrictive than U.S. regulations. For example, in Canada, there is no differentiation between the maximum driving time for drivers of passengers or property, whereas in the U.S., there are different rules for drivers of passengers and property.
Understanding and following the rules ensure the safety of the truck driver and contribute to the overall safety of Canadian roads. By adhering to the regulations, truck drivers can stay alert while on duty and reduce the risk of accidents due to fatigue.
