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Cycle Rules

Updated

Hours of service (HOS) cycle rules help manage a driver’s total on-duty and driving hours over a set period. The Motive Driver App provides tools to track these hours and support compliance with federal and regional regulations

Overview 

The Motive Driver App helps drivers stay compliant by tracking HOS cycle limits in real time, ensuring that available hours and accumulated time are always visible. Key features include:

  • Real-time cycle tracking: Instantly monitor your remaining hours and accumulated driving time, helping you plan your day and stay compliant with HOS regulations.
  • Automatic rule switching: Seamlessly adjusts between U.S. and Canadian cycles when crossing the border, ensuring compliance with both countries' rules without manual input.
  • Clear cycle clocks: Easily view your drive, shift, break, and cycle limits, making it simple to stay on top of your available hours.
  • Configurable cycles: Supports Secondary Cycles and customized settings for specialized operations, allowing flexibility for unique fleet needs and regulatory requirements

Basics 

HOS cycle rules limit the total number of on-duty and driving hours a driver can accumulate over a set period, which is typically 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days (U.S.). The Motive Driver App:

  • Tracks your accumulated hours.
  • Shows your active cycle rule.
  • Updates your available hours in real time.
  • Alerts you when you approach or reach a limit.

When you reach your cycle limit, you must take a qualifying reset before driving again

Viewing cycle rules

  1. From the Driver App home screen, scroll up the Status bar.
  1. Under Your clocks section, view your active cycle rule at the top (e.g., USA Property 70 hour / 8 day). You can also view your drive, shift, break, and cycle clocks. 

Both on-duty and driving hours count toward your cycle total. Use these clocks to plan breaks and resets to avoid violations.

Switching HOS cycle rules 

If your operations require a different cycle rule:

  1. In the Motive Driver App, tap Menu > Settings.
  1. Tap Cycle Rules 
  1. Select your new Cycle Rule from the drop-down. Tap Save.

Your available hours will update immediately based on the new rule. Check your accumulated time before switching.

Switching between U.S. and Canadian cycles 

The app automatically detects border crossings and updates your HOS cycle accordingly.

  • The cycle rule changes to match your location (e.g., U.S. 70/8 to Canada 70/7 or 120/14).
  • Your clocks adjust automatically.
  • After crossing, confirm that the correct rule is displayed.

This ensures compliance without requiring manual changes.

Switching between Short Haul and Long Haul driving cycles

  1. Go to Settings > Cycle Rules.
  1. Tap the Secondary Cycle tab. 
  2. Tap Cycle Rule.
  1. Select USA Short Haul from the drop-down menu and tap Save.
  1. Go back to the logs and select the day you want to switch your cycle for. 
  1. Tap the three dots at the top-right corner. 
  2. Select Cycle Rule.
  1. Select the cycle you want to switch to and tap Done. 

Your cycle for the respective day is switched. 

Note: The cycles can be switched according to the Short Haul or Long Haul preferences for the respective days.

Using a Secondary Cycle 

Some operations use more than one cycle rule. To activate a Secondary Cycle:

  1. In the Driver App, go to Settings > Cycle Rules.
  1. Tap the Secondary Cycle tab and open the drop-down menu for Cycle Rule.
Note: Tap Clear Secondary Cycle if you do not want a secondary cycle for your logs.
  1. Select your secondary cycle and tap Save to confirm.
Note: Always confirm that the selected cycle matches your operation before switching. Once the secondary cycle is added, the Drivers can start switching cycles on a Day Log (primary and secondary) for any current day or any day in the past. 

Changing time zone

  1. In the Driver App, tap Menu > Settings. 
  1. Tap General. 
  1. Tap to open the drop-down for Home Time Terminal Zone.
  1. Select a time zone and tap Save.

Time zone changes affect all log timestamps and cycle calculations. After updating, confirm that your cycle rule and clocks are still accurate.

Disabling the 30-minute rest break exception 

  1. In the Driver App, go to Menu > Settings. 
  2. Tap Cycle Rules.
  1. Under the section labeled Options, tap Rest Break.
  1. Select No Rest Break Required from the drop-down. Tap Save.

For details regarding HOS cycle rules, reach out to the local DOT or FMCSA.

Texas 70/7 oil and gas cycle rule and waiting time exception

Enabling the oil and gas cargo type 

  1. In the Driver App, go to Settings > Cycle Rules.
  1. Tap to open the drop-down for Cargo Type.
  1. Select Oil and Gas and tap Save. 
Note: This activates the waiting time exception. It allows fleets to log waiting time at well sites. 

Managing waiting time in Logs

  1. From the Motive Driver App home screen, tap Logs.
  1. Tap the log of a day where waiting time is applicable.
Note: Waiting time is treated the same as Off-Duty time for HOS purposes, but is logged separately to help differentiate between standard Off-Duty time and time spent waiting at a well site.
  1. Tap WT (waiting time) to record the period the Driver was waiting at a site. 
  1. Once the waiting time is logged, it appears as a separate line in the HOS report.
Note: Waiting time does not affect Split Sleeper Berth pairing calculations. Since only Sleeper Berth duty status is used for Split Sleeper Berth pairings under the Texas 70/7 rule. Waiting time appears in the fifth line of the log to differentiate it from the standard off-duty status.

FAQs

What are HOS cycle rules?

They limit total on-duty and driving hours over a set period (e.g., 60/7 or 70/8) to ensure safety and compliance

How do I know which cycle rule I'm using?

Your active rule appears at the top of the HOS section in the Driver App

Can I manually switch cycle rules?

Yes. You can change your cycle rule in Settings > HOS Rules > Cycle, if allowed by your fleet

What happens to my hours if I switch cycles?

Your available hours will update based on the new rule and your logged activity.

How does the app handle border crossings?

It detects the crossing and applies the correct cycle rule automatically

Why are split-sleeper clocks important?

They help track rest periods that allow you to extend your driving window when used correctly.

What is the Texas 70hr/7 day Cycle Rule?

  • On-duty begins after at least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty/sleeper/waiting time. 
  • Total shift time after taking consecutive 8 hours off is 15 hours. 
  • The driver must not drive more than 12 hours per 15-hour shift. 
  • The Driver must not drive after 70 hours on duty/driving since the cycle started. 
  • For the cycle reset, the Driver needs to take 34 consecutive hours off. 
  • They can select a 24-hour restart exception, which allows any 24+ hour off-duty/sleeper/waiting time to start a new cycle. 
  • Drivers need to take two breaks of a total of 8+ hours off, where each period is at least 2 hours in sleeper berth status only.
Note: Well site waiting time is now available on the Texas cycle when the cargo type is oil and gas.

What is the Florida Cycle Rule?

The Florida Hours of Service Regulation applies to carriers and drivers who operate the property cargo and passenger-cargo vehicles only within Florida.

  • “Work Shift” (on-duty period) begins after at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time.
  • The on-duty period for a driver can be 16 hours.
  • The driver must not drive more than 12 hours in a 16 hour shift.
  • Coming on duty after following 10 consecutive hours off duty, drivers may not drive after the 16th hour.
  • A driver may not drive after 70/80 hours on-duty in 7/8 consecutive days. 34 consecutive hours off constitutes the end of the 7/8 day period.
  • Drivers not exceeding 150 air miles radius and have no placarded hazardous materials are exempt from maintaining a logbook. 
  • Drivers who are not released from duty after on-duty shift must document driving time.
  • The drivers are required to take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes after 8 hours of driving time. 
  • Split Sleeper Berth: Drivers are allowed complete a 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending a minimum of 7 hours in the berth coupled with at least 2 hours of off-duty period spent inside or outside the berth. However, the sum of both periods must be at least 10 hours. 
Recommended
We recommend you review the Hours of Service regulations on Florida’s official Carrier Education website to ensure you have the most accurate and updated information: Section 316.302, Florida Statutes.

Disclaimer:  All content and information on this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and does not constitute financial, business, or legal advice. Although Motive strives to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, business and financial or tax-related decisions.
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What is the USA Passenger Cycle Rule?

  • Work Shift (On-Duty period) begins after at least 8 consecutive hours of off-duty/sleeper/waiting time.
  • Total shift time after taking consecutive 8 hours off would be 15 hours.
  • Driver must not drive more than 10 hours of the 15 hours in a shift.
  • The cycle starts 7/8 days before the end of the current day; no cycle resets.
  • Since the cycle started, the driver must not drive after 60/70 hours on duty/driving.
  • There should be 2 sleeper periods totaling 8+ hours, each 2-8 hours, and restarts the shift from after the first of the two periods.

What is the California Property Cycle Rule?

Work Shift

  • The On-Duty period begins after at least 10 consecutive hours of Off-Duty/Sleeper/Waiting time.  
  • Total shift time after taking consecutive 10 hours off would be 16 hours.
  • Driver must not drive more than 12 16 hours in a shift.
  • The cycle starts 8 days before the end of the current day.
  • Driver must not drive after 80 hours on duty/driving since the cycle started.
  • 34-hour restarts are allowed at any time.
  • 24-hour restart exception allows any 24+ hour Off Duty/Sleeper/Waiting to start a new cycle.

Split Sleeper Berth

  • Drivers need to take two breaks of a total of 10+ hours off, where one period is 8-10 hours sleeper, and the other is 2-10 hours off duty/sleeper, and restarts the shift after the first of the two periods.
  • The wait time exception adds a 5th status to the log chart, and any time spent
    waiting does not count towards the 16-hour shift limit.

What is 24-hour break violation in Canada South 70-hour/7-day cycle? 

Drivers must take at least one 24-hour off-duty or sleeper berth period within 14 days of starting a new cycle.

Example: If you start a new cycle on August 1st, you must take at least one off-duty break of 24 hours or more by August 14th. This break can be spent resting in the sleeper berth or off duty, but it must be completed within those 14-days to comply with the regulations.

FMCSA Help Link

What is the Canada South Oil and Gas cycle rule?

1. Shift Start:

  • A shift begins after a break of at least 8 hours off-duty or in the sleeper berth.

2. Driving Limits:

  • Drivers must not drive after 16 hours have passed since the start of the shift. Failure to comply results in a 16-hour on-duty limit violation (canada_oil_duty_16).
  • Drivers must not drive after 14 hours of being on-duty or driving since the start of the shift. Failure to comply results in a 14-hour shift violation (canada_oil_duty_14).
  • Drivers must not drive for more than 13 hours within the 14-hour on-duty limit. Failure to comply results in a 13-hour driving violation (canada_oil_driving_13).
  • Drivers must not drive for more than 13 hours in a day. Failure to comply results in a daily 13-hour driving violation (canada_oil_daily_driving_13).
  • Drivers must not be on-duty for more than 14 hours in a day. Failure to comply results in a daily 14-hour shift violation (canada_oil_daily_duty_14).

3. Daily Off-Duty Requirements:

  • Drivers must have at least 10 hours off-duty or in the sleeper berth per day. Failure to comply results in a daily 10-hour break violation (canada_oil_daily_break_10).
  • Each off-duty period must be at least 30 minutes.
  • At least 2 hours of the off-duty time must not be part of the 8-hour shift reset.

4. Extended Off-Duty Time:

  • Drivers must take at least three 24-hour off-duty periods within any 24-day period. These periods can be consecutive or separated by on-duty time. Failure to comply results in a three 24-hour breaks in last 24 days violation (canada_oil_break_3_24).

5. Waiting Time:

  • Waiting time does not count towards the 8+ hours required for a shift reset.
  • Waiting time does not count as on-duty time.

6. Cycle Resets:

  • There are no cycle resets required.

Exceptions

  • Waiting time at well sites is not counted as on-duty time.

Split Sleeper Berth Rules

1. Single Drivers:

  • Split sleeper berth periods consist of two separate sleeper periods totaling at least 10 hours.
  • Each sleeper period must be between 2 to 8 hours.
  • The shift restarts after the first of the two sleeper periods.

2. Team Drivers:

  • Split sleeper berth periods consist of two separate sleeper periods totaling at least 8 hours.
  • Each sleeper period must be between 4 to 8 hours.
  • The shift restarts after the first of the two sleeper periods.

3. 16th Hour Exclusion:

  • For split sleeper berth rules, the time spent in the first sleeper period is excluded from the calculation of the 16-hour limit.

Canada South Oil and Gas Cycle Regulations

We recommend reviewing the Hours of Service regulations on Canada’s official Carrier Education website for the most accurate and updated information. Please consult the sections on Oil Well Service Vehicle Permits and/or read Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313)

What is Canada South 120hr/14 days Cycle?

Rules:

  • Shift starts after any period of 8+ hours off duty/sleeper
  • Driver must not drive after 16 hours have elapsed since the start of the shift
  • Driver must not drive after 14 hours on duty/driving since the start of shift
  • Driver must not drive more than 13 hours of the 14 hours in a shift
  • Cycle starts 14 days before the end of the current day
  • Driver must not drive after 120 hours on duty/driving since the cycle started
  • Driver must not drive after 70 hours on duty/driving since the cycle was reset and before a
    period of 24+ hours off duty/sleeper
  • Driver must have at least one period of 24+ hours off duty/sleeper in the last 14 days
  • Driver must have at least 10 hours off duty/sleeper per day where each period is at least 30 minutes
    and at least 2 hours are not part of an 8-hour shift reset
  • 72-hour restarts allowed at any time

Exceptions:

None

What is the split sleeper provision in Texas cycle rule?

In Texas, the Split Sleeper provision means truck drivers can split their 10-hour off-duty time into two parts. Each part must be at least 2 hours in the sleeper berth.

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