How Many Hours Can a Truck Driver Drive in Pennsylvania?

June 17, 2026 | Truck Accidents

How Many Hours Can a Truck Driver Drive in Pennsylvania?

Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road making deliveries and getting shipments where they need to go. However, the law places limits on how many hours they can drive. This is meant to keep both the driver and others on the road safe. 

Keep reading below to learn how many hours a truck driver can drive in Pennsylvania.

Hours-of-Service Rules for Truck Drivers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania follows the federal hours-of-service rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for most truck drivers in the state. There are no separate, state-specific rules that must be followed in most cases. 

The federal rules are somewhat complex, but here are the basics:

11-Hour Driving Limit

A truck driver may drive for no more than 11 hours, and this is the maximum amount, even after a qualifying rest period. According to the federal regulations:

  • A driver must have taken at least 10 consecutive hours off before beginning their shift
  • Once the shift starts, the driver can drive for up to 11 hours
  • Upon reaching 11 hours, the driver must stop and take another qualifying rest period

This rule is strictly enforced, and drivers may not exceed this limit even if they still feel alert. For drivers who are carrying passengers instead of property, this limit is reduced to 10 hours.

14-Hour On-Duty Limit

In addition to pure driving time, there are also regulations on the length of a driver’s total workday. According to the on-duty limit:

  • When a driver starts their shift after a rest period, the 14-hour workday window begins.
  • During the window, a driver may complete job-related tasks, such as driving, fueling, loading, paperwork, or other duties.
  • After the 14th hour, the driver cannot drive again until they complete a required rest period.

For instance, suppose a driver begins their shift early in the morning. They drive to a location to pick up goods and materials, then spend several hours loading materials and completing paperwork. Once the 14th hour is reached, they can no longer drive until after completing a rest period, even though they may have only driven a few hours out of the 14-hour window.

30-Minute Driving Breaks

Drivers are required to complete a 30-minute, uninterrupted break after driving for 8 cumulative hours. This is intended to prevent fatigue and promote safety on the roadways.

Weekly Hour Limits

In addition to daily limits, there are also regulations about how many hours a driver may be on duty in a single week. The regulations state:

  • No more than 60 hours on duty in a 7-day period
  • No more than 70 hours on duty in an 8-day period

In order to reset the limit, a driver must be off-duty for at least 34 consecutive hours. This rule is mostly in place to prevent long-haul truck drivers from operating their trucks for many days in a row without getting a break.

Why Truck Driver Hour Limits Are Important

These rules are in place to help protect you and your family. Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, and drivers who are fatigued or drowsy are not safe to be on the road. Driver fatigue can lead to many types of mistakes on the road, such as:

  • Lane drifting
  • Delayed braking
  • Impaired judgment or decision-making
  • Completely falling asleep

When truckers exceed these limits, or companies pressure them to keep driving, everyone on the road is put at risk.

Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Lancaster Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Pennsylvania, it is crucial to investigate whether the driver and the trucking company were following all required regulations. In these complex claims, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side who knows what it takes to investigate these accidents and force accountability. 

Contact the team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates to schedule a free consultation with a Lancaster truck accident lawyer and let us help you get the justice you deserve.

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