> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.catenatelematics.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hours of Service (HOS)

> Understand HOS regulations and how to access standardized driver duty status data across telematics providers

export const ProviderCountSnippet = () => <Callout icon="layer-group" color="#3b82f6" iconType="duotone">
    <p>
      Catena currently supports <strong>216 ELD providers</strong>. <a href="/get-started/supported-providers">See the list</a>.
    </p>
  </Callout>;

<Check>
  **Hours of Service (HOS)** regulations govern how long commercial drivers can operate vehicles and when they must rest. Access real-time duty status, available hours, and compliance data through Catena's unified API.
</Check>

## What is Hours of Service?

Hours of Service rules are federal regulations that limit driving time and mandate rest periods for commercial motor vehicle drivers. These rules prevent driver fatigue, reduce accidents, and ensure compliance across the freight industry.

<Note>
  HOS compliance is legally required for interstate commercial drivers in the U.S. (FMCSA) and Canada (Transport Canada). Non-compliance results in fines, out-of-service violations, and increased liability.
</Note>

## Key HOS Benefits

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Legal Compliance" icon="scale-balanced">
    Meet FMCSA and DOT requirements automatically with real-time HOS tracking and violation alerts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Safety & Risk Reduction" icon="shield-check">
    Prevent fatigued driving by enforcing mandatory rest periods and driving time limits
  </Card>

  <Card title="Real-Time Fleet Visibility" icon="eye">
    Monitor driver availability, plan dispatches, and optimize routes based on available hours
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit & Inspection Ready" icon="file-check">
    Maintain compliant electronic logs for roadside inspections and regulatory audits
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## HOS Duty Status Types

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Driving" icon="steering-wheel">
    Driver is actively operating a commercial motor vehicle. This status is automatically recorded when the vehicle is in motion and counts against daily driving limits.

    **U.S. Limit:** 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="On Duty (Not Driving)" icon="clipboard-check">
    Driver is working but not driving the vehicle. Includes activities like:

    * Loading/unloading cargo
    * Vehicle inspections
    * Fueling
    * Paperwork and administrative tasks

    **U.S. Limit:** 14-hour on-duty window after 10 consecutive hours off duty
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Off Duty" icon="circle-pause">
    Driver is relieved from all work and duty responsibilities. This time does not count toward duty limits and helps reset daily driving hours.

    **Required:** Minimum 10 consecutive hours before starting a new duty period
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sleeper Berth" icon="bed">
    Driver is resting in the vehicle's designated sleeper berth compartment. Can be used for split sleeper berth provisions to extend available driving time.

    **Split Provision:** Drivers can split the required 10-hour off-duty period into two periods (8/2 or 7/3 splits)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## How HOS Data Flows

<Steps>
  <Step title="ELD Captures Events" icon="microchip">
    Electronic Logging Devices automatically record engine status, vehicle motion, and duty status changes directly from the vehicle's engine control module (ECM).

    <Check>
      ELDs are federally mandated for most commercial carriers and eliminate manual paper logs.
    </Check>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Driver Updates Status" icon="user-pen">
    Drivers manually update their duty status when transitioning between activities (e.g., switching from driving to on-duty not driving for a vehicle inspection).
  </Step>

  <Step title="TSP Processes Data" icon="server">
    Telematics Service Providers aggregate, validate, and store HOS logs. They calculate available hours and detect potential violations based on FMCSA rules.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Catena Standardizes Access" icon="grid-2">
    Catena's API provides normalized HOS data across providers in a consistent format, eliminating provider-specific integration complexity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## U.S. HOS Regulations Summary

| Regulation            | Limit       | Description                                                         |
| --------------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Driving Time**      | 11 hours    | Maximum driving allowed after 10 consecutive hours off duty         |
| **On-Duty Window**    | 14 hours    | Maximum time on duty before requiring 10 hours off                  |
| **Rest Requirement**  | 10 hours    | Consecutive off-duty time needed to reset daily limits              |
| **Weekly Limit**      | 60/70 hours | Cannot drive after 60 hours on-duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days |
| **Break Requirement** | 30 minutes  | Required break after 8 cumulative hours of driving                  |

<Warning>
  HOS rules vary by operation type (property vs. passenger), region (U.S. vs. Canada), and special exemptions. Always verify specific regulatory requirements for your use case.
</Warning>

## Common HOS Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Compliance Monitoring" icon="clipboard-list-check">
    Build real-time dashboards that alert dispatchers when drivers approach HOS limits or violations occur
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dispatch Optimization" icon="route">
    Schedule loads based on driver availability and remaining hours to maximize fleet utilization
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit & Reporting" icon="file-chart-column">
    Generate compliance reports for DOT audits, FMCSA inspections, and internal safety reviews
  </Card>

  <Card title="Driver Mobile Apps" icon="mobile-screen">
    Provide drivers with real-time HOS status, remaining available hours, and violation alerts
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Access HOS Data with Catena

Catena unifies HOS data from the telematics providers into a single, standardized API. Retrieve driver duty status, available hours, and historical logs without managing provider-specific formats.

<ProviderCountSnippet />

See the [API Reference](/api-reference/overview) for complete endpoint documentation and request/response examples.

<Tip>
  Use Catena's webhook notifications to receive real-time alerts when drivers change duty status or approach HOS limits.
</Tip>

***

# Ready to Get Started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="rocket" title="Quick Start Guide" href="/get-started/quickstart">
    Get up and running in 10 minutes with our step-by-step integration tutorial.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="book-open" title="API Reference" href="/api-reference">
    Explore all available endpoints, parameters, and response formats.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="user-plus" title="Get API Credentials" href="/get-started/getting-access">
    Request access to start building with the Catena Telematics API.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="plug" title="Supported Providers" href="/get-started/supported-providers">
    Browse the telematics providers available through our platform.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>