From HOS’ Full Form to Significance, We Have You Covered

The trucking business can be risky. It is impossible for 48,000 pounds of fabricated steel traveling at 65 mph to be unobserved. As a result, systems are in good condition to ensure that the person operating each truck is well-rested, tested, and secure.

But how is this carried out? People probably refer to your freight’s “Hours of Service” as a shipper. What does it mean, though? And how does it affect your revenue? Let’s learn about all of that in this blog.

What is HOS?

Governmental guidelines called Hours of Service (HOS) limit the number of hours a truck driver can work in a single day. By limiting the time truck drivers are permitted to drive and work, hours of service (HOS) regulations contribute to the overall safety of the road.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a U.S. Department of Transportation division responsible for regulating the trucking industry, establishes HOS. Generally speaking, HOS regulations limit the number of hours that can be spent driving, mandate mandatory break and off times, and outline duty cycles.

The FMCSA uses “Hours of Service” to specify the following aspects of a driver’s day in their regulations:

• Total time spent while driving
• Amount and duration of breaks

How Are Service Hours Monitored?

In 1937, the first federal law requiring truckers to keep track of their service hours was enacted. At the time, the only means by which the government could monitor its requirements were paper logs and a driver’s word. Drivers’ record-keeping was inconsistent frequently because this process was challenging to control.

In general, the digital age has made keeping tabs on a driver’s HOS simpler. Due to technological advancements, what was previously challenging to track due to oversight discrepancies presented by paper logs has become simpler.

Electronic logging systems are used by truck drivers today, especially those operating more recent vehicles, to keep track of their HOS. These systems use GPS tracking to start a driver’s clock as soon as their truck moves, and they also keep track of their drive time, route, and the number of breaks, among other things. Logging program like TruckSmartz keeps all necessary information in a mobile app that is simple to use.