HOS Clocks

Updated January 22, 2026 14:45

Motive helps fleets maintain hours of service (HOS) compliance with resources that simplify log management, track driver duty statuses, and support adherence to complex federal, state, and provincial regulations. These features promote road safety and help reduce the risk of violations.

Overview

Motive's HOS clocks give drivers and fleet managers a quick view of available on-duty time. These real-time tools help plan trips, avoid violations, and stay compliant with federal, state, and provincial rules.

Real-time visibility: Drivers and fleet managers can see up-to-date HOS data anytime through the Motive Driver App and Motive Dashboard, keeping everyone aligned on compliance status.
Proactive violation prevention: Clocks count down based on duty statuses and send alerts as limits approach, helping drivers avoid violations.
Simplified compliance: The clocks automatically track time against key HOS limits, removing the need for manual tracking or guesswork.

Basics

Motive helps drivers and fleet managers stay on top of duty limits with real-time HOS clocks. As duty status changes, each clock updates automatically to show the time remaining under federal and state HOS rules.

Drivers can view these clocks in the Motive Driver App, while fleet managers can access them in the Motive Dashboard. The system tracks four key clocks: drive, shift, cycle, and break.

The Motive Driver App shows four easy-to-read clocks that update in real time to help drivers stay compliant:

Driving violation: Tracks the driving limit and shows how much driving time remains.
Shift violation: Tracks the on-duty window and shows how long a driver can work before needing a break.
Cycle violation: Tracks time left in the day and week work cycle.
Break violation: Counts down to the required break after hours of driving.

The clocks use color alerts to signal when time is running low. A yellow icon means a limit is approaching, while a red line in the log graph shows a violation has occurred. Drivers can also get push notifications when they’re close to a violation.

Viewing HOS clocks and recap from the Driver App

While real-time HOS clocks show how much time a driver has left to drive or be on duty today, the HOS recap shows how many hours will become available in the coming days. The HOS recap gives a day-by-day summary of hours already worked and highlights the hours that will be added back as older days roll off the 7-day or 8-day cycle. Both HOS clocks and recaps are useful tools to help drivers and fleet managers plan future trips and manage schedules more effectively.

From the Motive Driver App home screen

From the Motive Driver App home screen, pull up the drawer.
View your remaining time in front of your current status and under the Your clocks section.
Scroll down to see Your HOS recap.

From the Logs screen in the Motive Driver App

From the Motive Driver App, go to Logs.
Tap the HOS clock menu icon to view your clocks with remaining time.
Scroll down to see your HOS Recap.

Viewing the HOS clocks and recaps from the Fleet Dashboard

Log in to the Motive Dashboard and click Fleet View.
Go to the Drivers tab and select a driver.
Click the Summary tab to view all HOS clocks for the selected driver.
From the Quick Links section, click HOS Recap Report to view the HOS recap.
You can also view the HOS recap by clicking Reports > Compliance > HOS Recap.

Viewing Split Sleeper Hours

Fleet Managers and Fleet Admins can utilize the Split Sleeper toggle feature for Drivers using US cycles in the Motive Fleet Dashboard. This allows you to see how a driver’s remaining time is recalculated after they complete a qualifying off-duty period.

In the Motive Fleet Dashboard, click Fleet View.
Go to the Drivers tab and select the driver you wish to view.
Click the Summary tab.
In the Hours of Service section, locate the toggle labeled Show Clocks with Split SB Provision.
Click the toggle to turn it on (it will turn blue). The clocks will now reflect the hours available under the Split Sleeper provision.

Important note on HOS Violations:

Drivers must complete both qualifying periods of the split sleeper berth to avoid Hours of Service (HOS) violations. Once the second off-duty period is completed, the Driver’s clocks recalculate, and potential violations related to the timing of the split may be resolved. However, any violations unrelated to the split sleeper rule (e.g., driving beyond the allowed hours before the split) are not removed. Violations may still appear before both qualifying periods are completed.
HOS violations displayed in the Driver App are not actual violations, and Drivers are recommended to always use DOT Inspection mode during roadside inspections. The integrity of their records is maintained, and no violation flags are presented to enforcement agents.

FAQs

How do I know if I am getting close to an HOS violation?

The Motive Driver App provides visual warnings. Clock icons may turn yellow when you’re approaching a limit, and you can set up alerts to receive notifications before a violation occurs.

Can I see my HOS clocks while I am driving?

Yes. When the vehicle is in motion, the app displays a driving lock screen that prominently shows your remaining drive time.

What is the difference between the HOS clocks and the HOS recap?

The HOS clocks show your remaining time in real time for your current shift and cycle. The HOS recap is a planning tool that shows a summary of hours worked and helps you see how many hours will be regained in the coming days.

How can my fleet manager see my remaining hours?

Fleet managers can view a driver’s current HOS clocks by following these steps:

Go to Fleet View>Drivers.
Select the driver.
Click the Summary tab in the Motive Dashboard.

How do I access the HOS recap?

You can view the HOS recap in the Motive Driver App by following these steps:

Open the Motive Driver App and go to the logs tab.
Swipe left to view the HOS recap.
You can also swipe up from the main screen to view your clocks, then scroll down to see the recap section.

How many hours is a driver allowed to drive in a day?

A driver's allowable driving time depends on the Hours of Service (HOS) cycle they are following. The Motive Driver App supports the following HOS cycles:

USA Property Cycle

Drivers following the USA Property Cycle cannot drive more than 11 hours within a 14-hour shift.

USA Passenger Cycle

Drivers following the USA Passenger Cycle cannot drive more than 10 hours within a 15-hour shift.

Canada Alberta Cycle

Drivers following the Canada Alberta Cycle cannot drive more than 13 hours within a 15-hour shift.

Canada South Cycle

Drivers following the Canada South Cycle cannot drive more than 13 hours within a 14-hour shift.

Canada South Oil Cycle

Drivers following the Canada South Oil Cycle cannot drive more than 13 hours within a 14-hour shift.

Canada North Cycle

Drivers following the Canada North Cycle cannot drive more than 15 hours within an 18-hour shift.

California Property Cycle

Drivers following the California Property Cycle cannot drive more than 12 hours within a 16-hour shift.

California Passenger Cycle

Drivers following the California Passenger Cycle cannot drive more than 10 hours within a 15-hour shift.

Texas Intrastate Cycle

Drivers following the Texas Intrastate Cycle cannot drive more than 12 hours within a 15-hour shift.

Alaska Property Cycle

Drivers following the Alaska Property Cycle cannot drive more than 15 hours within a 20-hour shift.

Alaska Passenger Cycle

Drivers following the Alaska Passenger Cycle cannot drive more than 15 hours within a 20-hour shift.

USA Short Haul Property Cycle

Drivers following the USA Short Haul Property Cycle cannot drive more than 11 hours within a 14-hour shift.

USA Short Haul Passenger Cycle

Drivers following the USA Short Haul Passenger Cycle cannot drive more than 10 hours within a 14-hour shift.

USA Oil and Gas Cycle

Drivers following the USA Oil and Gas Cycle cannot drive more than 11 hours within a 14-hour shift.

Note: If a driver is unsure which cycle to follow, they should contact a DOT officer for guidance. For more details, refer to FMCSA regulations

Why does my driver show a violation during their split sleeper break?

The system may show a violation until the second qualifying break is completed. Once the driver completes the second period, the clocks automatically recalculate and resolve any violations caused by the split timing. However, violations unrelated to the split (such as driving over 11 hours before the first break) will remain.

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