Federal and Alabama state truck driver laws limit the amount of time truckers can spend behind the wheel; yet, many truck drivers and trucking companies disregard these rules, putting people in danger. Truck drivers and trucking companies that break hours-of-service rules in Alabama are liable for accidents they cause, but proving their liability can be difficult without legal assistance.
The Alabama truck accident lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., are ready to go to work to find evidence that proves a drowsy driver caused the crash that injured you and seek the fair compensation you deserve. Our firm has represented injured people in Alabama for nearly 60 years and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. With decades of combined experience, our truck accident attorneys know how to examine these cases from every angle to maximize your financial compensation.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation. You will not owe us any upfront attorney’s fees if you hire us. We get paid only when you do.
What Are the Driving Time Regulations for Truck Drivers in Alabama?
Alabama truck drivers must follow one of two sets of commercial driving time regulations depending on their routes. Commercial truck drivers whose routes stay solely within Alabama borders and do not go farther than 150 air miles from where they normally report for work must follow the rules found in Section 32-9A-6 of the Alabama Code:
- 12-hour driving limit – A driver may drive up to 12 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 15-hour on-duty limit – Driving is prohibited if the driver has been on duty for more than 15 hours, even if they have not driven the full 12 hours.
- 70-hour weekly limit – Drivers may not drive after being on duty for 70 hours in any 7 consecutive days.
- Recordkeeping required – Drivers must maintain and carry records of duty status for the previous 7 days, per federal regulations.
Interstate truck drivers — commercial truck drivers whose routes go through multiple states — must follow driving time regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
- 11-hour driving limit – Drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour on-duty window – A driver may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, even if they have not used all 11 driving hours.
- 60/70-hour weekly limit – Drivers may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on their carrier’s schedule.
- 30-minute break rule – Drivers must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving unless they qualify for specific exceptions.
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs) – Under federal rules, most interstate drivers must use ELDs to record hours of service electronically
How Many Hours Can a Truck Driver Legally Drive in Alabama?
State and federal rules impose strict driving time limits on Alabama truck drivers, regardless of whether their work requires them to cross state lines. The key rules to know are:
Intrastate Truck Drivers
- Up to 12 hours in a given day
- Up to 70 hours total in any 7 consecutive days
- Drivers must stop after more than 15 hours on duty, even if they have not been driving for 12 hours
Interstate Truck Drivers
- Up to 11 hours in a given day
- Up to 60/70 hours in any 7/8 days, depending on the carrier’s schedule
- Drivers must stop after more than 14 hours on duty, even if they have not been driving for 11 hours
Connections Between FMCSA Hours-of-Service Rules and Fatigued Driving Crashes
Research shows that fatigue severely compromises drivers’ ability to handle a motor vehicle safely. Some studies indicate that driving after going more than 20 hours without sleep affects drivers’ abilities to the same extent as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent, the legal limit in most of the country.
Drowsy driving accidents kill or injure thousands of people every year, including many people involved in crashes with fatigued truck drivers, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
These sobering facts are a primary reason state and federal regulators implemented driving time limits or hours-of-service rules (HOS) for truck drivers. Unfortunately, many truck drivers ignore these limits, often because they do not think they are susceptible to fatigue or face pressure from their employers to make faster deliveries.
The size of commercial trucks means that while people in passenger cars often suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries in drowsy driving accidents, truck drivers frequently escape unscathed or with minor injuries.
What Happens When Truckers Violate Driving Time Limits?
If a driver breaks the HOS rules, that violation could be strong evidence of negligence in a civil case.
Drowsy driving itself is not a crime under federal or Alabama law, but that does not mean truck drivers get a free pass. A fatigued driver who causes an accident may face charges of reckless driving or vehicular assault, depending on the extent of the damage they cause. These are severe charges that can result in fines, a driver’s license suspension, or imprisonment.
Violating the hours-of-service rules can also trigger penalties from the FMCSA. Drivers may face fines, temporary shutdowns, or even lose their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for frequent or severe violations. Trucking companies can also face fines and other penalties if they fail to prevent or encourage violations.
The Role of Hours-of-Service Logs in Truck Accident Investigations
Paper, or more typically electronic, hours-of-service logs frequently play a crucial role in truck accident investigations. HOS records show when a driver was on duty, driving, resting, or off the clock.
Modern commercial motor vehicles typically use electronic logging devices (ELDs), which automatically track a driver’s operating hours and other data. If the logs show the driver exceeded legal time limits or skipped required breaks, that could be strong evidence of fatigue or HOS rule violations. Truck accident lawyers often use these records to prove the driver was overworked and that truck driver fatigue contributed to a crash.
How Our Alabama Truck Accident Lawyers Help People Harmed by HOS Violators
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., has extensive knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations, and we can use that knowledge to help you seek fair compensation after a truck crash. Let us review the driver’s logs, police reports, surveillance footage, and other evidence for any sign of HOS violations or fatigue. We can also document your injuries to seek maximum compensation and handle settlement negotiations for you. If negotiations fail, we will be ready to defend your rights in court if necessary.
Waiting to talk to a lawyer could make it harder for us to find evidence of HOS violations or other lawbreaking. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
