Driving hours in the US and Australia
CABINA Editorial Team
How the official bodies of the United States and Australia regulate truck driving hours, compared with European rules.
Machine translation, not verified [NV].
Truck driving hours are not regulated the same way around the world. In Europe, Regulation (EC) 561/2006 sets 9 hours a day, with the option of reaching 10 twice a week [V]. We read the official pages of the United States and Australia.
United States: 11 hours and the 14-hour rule
The federal agency FMCSA sets the Hours of Service for property-carrying trucks. Its summary page shows 28/03/2022 as the last update [V]:
- maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty [V];
- no driving beyond hour 14 after coming on duty [V];
- 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving [V];
- 60/70-hour limit in 7/8 days, reset by 34 or more hours off duty [V].
The 10-hour rest can be split in the sleeper berth: one period of at least 2 hours and another of at least 7 consecutive hours, totalling at least 10 [V].
Australia: work hours in windows
The regulator NHVR sets the Standard Hours for solo drivers using time windows [V]:
- in 24 hours, maximum 12 hours of work and at least 7 consecutive hours of rest;
- in 7 days, maximum 72 hours, with 24 consecutive hours of rest.
The logic differs from Europe’s: work is counted within rolling periods, not just driving.
What they have in common
There are common points: a daily cap on driving or work, a mandatory break after several hours at the wheel and a minimum rest between shifts. The figures, however, cannot be compared one by one: in the United States the window from the start of duty matters; in Australia, total work in each period.
In Europe, the reference remains Regulation (EC) 561/2006, with the 45-minute break after 4 and a half hours of driving [V].
What this article does not do
It does not explain exceptions or the rules of each state or territory: data not found / pending verification [NV]. The official pages are in English; the translation is by the editorial team, not verified [NV]. It does not replace official sources or advice on specific cases.
Base Spanish not verified by a native speaker [NV].
CABINA Editorial Team
Sources
- FMCSA, “Summary of Hours of Service Regulations”: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations, consulted on 28/10/2026 [V].
- NHVR, “Standard hours”: https://www.nhvr.gov.au/safety-accreditation-compliance/fatigue-management/work-and-rest-requirements/standard-hours, consulted on 28/10/2026 [V].
- EU Publications Office, Regulation (EC) 561/2006, consolidated text: https://publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/8c19a9e9-bcb1-11ef-91ed-01aa75ed71a1.0014.02/DOC_1, consulted on 29/10/2026 [V].
Informational content, not advice. Always check the text of the source given; for your own case, consult a professional or the competent authority.