Managing a fleet is about balancing many things—compliance, budgets, productivity, maintenance— yet one of the trickiest areas to navigate is always Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. The 34-hour reset is a rule designed to help drivers legally restart their weekly on-duty hours, but for many fleets, it raises more questions than answers. When should it be used? How does it impact scheduling? And, most importantly, how can fleets use it to their advantage rather than as a disruption?
This guide breaks down exactly how the 34-hour reset works, when it applies, and how it affects fleet operations. By understanding the rule and applying it strategically, fleets can stay compliant while making the most of drivers’ hours on the road.
What is the 34-Hour Reset Rule?
The 34-hour reset rule allows drivers to wipe the slate clean on their weekly HOS limits after taking at least 34 consecutive hours off duty. Without it, drivers operating under the 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day rule must carefully track their hours and stop working once they hit the 7- or 8-day limit. The reset provides a way to restart their rolling cycle, giving them a full set of available hours instead of waiting for previous on-duty time to drop off.
Think of it this way:
- A driver working under the 70-hour/8-day rule accumulates 68 hours on duty by the seventh day. Without a reset, they’d only be able to work two more hours before hitting their limit and needing to wait for previous hours to roll off.
- Instead, they take 34 consecutive hours off duty, and when they return, they have a fresh 70-hour cycle available.
The FMCSA designed the 34-hour rule to reduce driver fatigue by ensuring drivers have a dedicated rest period before starting a new work cycle. Fortunately, it also benefits fleets by allowing them to plan schedules with a predictable way to restart driver availability. However, using the reset effectively requires a little planning—doing it too soon can waste available hours, while waiting too long can create unnecessary downtime.
34-Hour Reset: Myths vs. Facts
Despite being a well-established rule, there’s still some confusion around the 34-hour reset—when it applies, how it works, and whether it’s required at all. Below, we clear up some of the most common misconceptions.
Myth: The reset is mandatory after reaching the weekly limit.
Fact: It’s optional and used strategically by fleets.
One of the biggest surprises about the 34-hour reset is that it isn’t required. Many drivers take it without realizing it—if they have a set route and are home every weekend, they’re naturally hitting a reset period.
Here’s another quirk of HOS rules: as long as a driver takes the required 10-hour break between shifts, they could technically drive 8 hours and 45 minutes per day, every day, without ever needing a full 34-hour reset. That’s because they’d never reach the 70-hour limit within an eight-day rolling period.
Of course, just because the regulations allow for this doesn’t mean it’s the best option. For fleet managers, offering structured resets—like weekends off and planned breaks—keeps drivers well-rested and less burned out. Most fleets incorporate the reset naturally into operations rather than requiring drivers to “declare” it.
Myth: The reset must be taken at home or in a sleeper berth.
Fact: The reset can be taken anywhere, as long as it’s 34 consecutive off-duty hours.
There’s no requirement for where a driver spends their reset period—it just has to be off-duty time. That could mean:
- Staying at home or in company-provided lodging.
- Resting in the sleeper berth (if marked as off-duty).
- Using time for personal activities like laundry, exercise, or even sightseeing.
As long as the driver isn’t engaged in any on-duty work, the 34-hour reset is valid.
Myth: Any break longer than 34 hours counts as a reset.
Fact: Technically, yes—but that doesn’t mean it’s necessary.
Drivers can take as many resets as they want, and longer breaks still qualify. However, a reset only matters when a driver is approaching their 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day limit. Taking a reset when hours are still available doesn’t add any extra time—it just restarts the cycle.
For most fleets, the reset is used only when needed to avoid wasted drive time. A driver taking unnecessary resets may end up with more downtime than necessary, which can impact scheduling and general productivity.
Myth: Short-haul drivers don’t need to follow the 34-hour rule.
Fact: Short-haul drivers who hit the 60/70-hour weekly limit still need a reset.
Some short-haul drivers—like intermodal haulers and less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers—operate under the 150 air-mile rule and don’t always have to follow the same HOS restrictions as long-haul drivers. However, they are still subject to the 60- or 70-hour weekly limit.
That means if a short-haul driver maxes out their weekly hours, they need a reset just like any other driver. The FMCSA states that the 7- or 8-day cycle is based on consecutive 24-hour periods designated by the carrier. If those hours run out, the reset becomes the only way to restart.
Benefits of the 34-Hour Reset for Fleets
Used strategically, the 34-hour reset is an opportunity for fleets to keep drivers fresh, schedules predictable, and avoids costly disruptions. Here’s how:
- Keeps drivers sharp and ready to roll – No one performs at their best when they’re running on empty. The reset ensures drivers get actual downtime—not just short breaks—so they come back focused and ready to handle the road safely. Well-rested drivers mean fewer accidents, delays, and compliance issues.
- Minimizes mid-week shutdowns – Running out of hours mid-shift or mid-route can create major problems for fleets and their customers. A well-timed reset helps fleets restart the clock at the right time, so drivers aren’t stuck waiting for hours to drop off before they can get moving again.
- Creates more predictable schedules – Fleets that plan resets strategically can establish more consistent schedules, which in turn improves route planning. Instead of scrambling to adjust for drivers running out of hours at unpredictable times, managers can keep freight moving smoothly.
- Reduces compliance risks and costly fines – HOS violations cost a lot of money and put fleet safety ratings at risk. Using the reset helps avoid unintentional violations and keeps trucks running without disruption.
By treating the 34-hour reset as a strategic tool rather than an inconvenience, fleets can maximize drive time, minimize downtime, and improve safety without cutting corners.
How Technology Helps Fleets Manage Resets
HOS compliance isn’t something fleets can afford to get wrong. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) make tracking duty cycles, drive time, and reset eligibility far more precise—eliminating manual logging errors and ensuring drivers don’t accidentally go over their limits. With real-time data, fleet managers can see exactly when a driver needs a reset and plan accordingly, avoiding last-minute disruptions.
But ELDs alone aren’t enough—to truly stay ahead, fleets need full integration with fleet management platforms. When ELD data syncs with routing and dispatch tools, managers can optimize reset timing, avoid mid-week shutdowns, and keep trucks and deliveries on track. By automating HOS tracking and alerting managers to potential violations in advance, fleet management technology reduces the need for constant monitoring—allowing teams to focus on running operations instead of chasing compliance.
The Solera Advantage: Smarter HOS Compliance
Solera Fleet Solutions take the complexity out of HOS management, giving fleets the visibility and control they need to track resets and avoid violations. With real-time tracking, automated alerts, and seamless ELD integration, fleet managers can make informed, intelligent decisions before a compliance issue arises.
Instead of reacting to problems, Solera’s tools help prevent them, streamlining reset tracking, optimizing schedules, and keeping fleets running at their highest potential.
Talk to the experts at Solera today and see how our fleet solutions can simplify HOS compliance and keep your drivers on the road.