Hours-of-Service Rules For Truck Drivers in South Carolina

Commercial truck drivers in South Carolina must adhere to strict federal and state regulations designed to protect all road users. The trucking industry operates under guidelines set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to prevent accidents and ensure accountability among truck drivers and trucking companies. These regulations cover a range of safety measures, including hours of service limits, weight restrictions, and vehicle maintenance requirements to reduce risks on highways.

At The Lovely Law Firm, we recognize how violations of these commercial vehicle regulations can lead to severe truck accidents. If you’ve been injured in a collision with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other commercial vehicle, understanding these rules is crucial for determining liability and securing compensation. Our experienced South Carolina truck accident attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process and fight for the justice you deserve. Below, we outline some of the key trucking regulations in South Carolina.

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How Many Hours Can a Truck Driver Drive in a Day?

Truck driving regulations are in place to prevent driver fatigue and promote road safety. In South Carolina, truck drivers must follow federally mandated hours of service (HOS) limits, which dictate the maximum time they can operate their vehicles within a 24-hour period. These FMCSA regulations are strictly enforced to reduce the risk of fatigue-related trucking accidents and ensure compliance with federal safety standards.

Property-Carrying Drivers (18-Wheelers)

• 11-Hour Driving Limit – A truck driver may operate a commercial vehicle in South Carolina for a maximum of 11 hours, but only after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour Limit – Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, even if they have taken breaks. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour limit.
• 30-Minute Driving Break – After driving for 8 cumulative hours, a driver must take at least a 30-minute break before they continue driving. The break can include non-driving tasks, such as going through the pre- or post-trip check list, or off-duty time.
• 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit – Truckers in South Carolina and the rest of the US cannot drive after being on duty for 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. To reset their weekly drive time limit, drivers must take at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.
• Adverse Driving Conditions Exception – If a driver encounters bad weather or unexpected road hazards while transporting cargo, they can extend both their 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour duty window by an additional 2 hours.
• Short-Haul Exception – Drivers who stay within a 150 air-mile radius of their starting point or main location and return within 14 hours may be exempt from detailed logging requirements.

Passenger-Carrying Drivers (Buses, Shuttles, etc.)

• 10-Hour Driving Limit – Drivers can operate a vehicle for a maximum of 10 hours after taking 8 consecutive hours off duty.
• 15-Hour Limit – After 15 hours on duty, driving is prohibited, even if the driver has taken breaks.
• 60/70-Hour Weekly Limit – Similar to property-carrying truck drivers, bus and shuttle operators cannot drive after working 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days. This rule is in place.
• Sleeper Berth Rule – If using a sleeper berth, a driver must rest and be off duty for at least 8 hours. This rest time, otherwise known as a sleeper berth, can be split into two periods, but neither period can be less than 2 hours.
• Adverse Driving Conditions Exception – If unexpected weather or road conditions arise, passenger drivers may extend both their 10-hour driving limit and 15-hour duty limit by 2 hours, which is similar to the property truck drivers rule.
• Short-Haul Exception – Similar to truck drivers, passenger drivers operating within a 150 air-mile radius who return within 14 hours may also be exempt from certain logging requirements.

These hours of service rules for commercial vehicle drivers are designed to protect both truck drivers and other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the road. When trucking companies or drivers violate these hour limits, they put everyone at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident that wasn’t following the rules of the road in South Carolina, The Lovely Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Who Is Liable For Truck Driver Hours Of Service Violations?

When a truck driver violates hours of service rules while traveling on South Carolina roads, multiple parties may be held liable, depending on the circumstances of the accident. Possible parties, beyong the trucking company and the driver, that may be held liable on the trucker’s behalf include:

• The Truck Driver – If a driver knowingly disregards hours of service rules, or falsifies logbooks, they can be held liable for any accidents caused by fatigue.
• The Trucking Company – Employers who encourage or pressure drivers to violate HOS regulations, or fail to monitor their compliance, can be held liable for resulting truck accidents.
• Shipping Companies – If a shipping company imposes unrealistic deadlines that force a driver to exceed legal driving hours, they may also share responsibility for any accidents caused.

Violating HOS rules can lead to severe commercial vehicle accidents, making victims eligible to pursue compensation for their injuries, lost wages, and other damages. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a truck driver violating hours of service regulations, The Lovely Law Firm can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Other Rules Truck Drivers Must Follow

Beyond hours of service limitations, commercial truck drivers must comply with additional FMCSA safety regulations to protect themselves and others on the road. Violations of these rules can lead to serious accidents, legal consequences, and financial penalties for both drivers and trucking companies.

Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements

Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to regularly inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles to ensure they are in safe operating condition. Key maintenance regulations include:

• Daily Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections – Drivers must inspect their trucks before and after each trip, checking brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components.
• Annual Inspections – Trucks must undergo comprehensive annual inspections conducted by qualified inspectors to ensure compliance with FMCSA safety standards.
• Record Keeping Requirements – Trucking companies must maintain detailed records of all maintenance, repairs, and inspections for each vehicle in their fleet.

Weight and Cargo Securement Rules

Overloaded or improperly secured cargo on semi trucks can make them more difficult to control and significantly increase the risk of an accident while traveling on the roadways of South Carolina. FMCSA regulations require:

• Weight Limits – Commercial trucks must not exceed the federal gross vehicle weight limit of 80,000 pounds unless they have special permits.
• Proper Load Securement – Cargo must be properly loaded and secured using tie-downs, straps, or other restraints to prevent shifting during transit. Additional securement requirements apply for specific types of cargo, such as logs, pipes, and hazardous materials.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

To make sure that truck drivers operate their vehicles safely, the FMCSA enforces strict drug and alcohol testing policies, including:

• Pre-Employment Testing – Drivers must pass a drug test before being hired by a trucking company.
• Random Testing – Trucking companies must conduct random drug and alcohol tests on their drivers throughout the year to ensure their compliance with FMCSA protocol and regulations.
• Post-Accident Testing – If a truck driver is involved in an accident that results in injury, fatality, or significant damage, they must undergo immediate drug and alcohol testing.
• Alcohol Limits – Truck drivers are prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher, which is half the legal limit for non-commercial drivers.

Licensing and Training Requirements

Truck drivers in South Carolina and throughout the United States must obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and comply with FMCSA training requirements. These include:

• CDL Certification – Drivers must pass written and skills tests to receive their CDL, which is required to operate commercial vehicles.
• Endorsements for Specialized Loads – Truck drivers transporting hazardous materials, tankers, or oversized loads must obtain additional endorsements on their CDL.
• Ongoing Training – Some trucking companies require periodic safety training to make sure drivers remain compliant with FMCSA regulations.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Requirements

To enforce hours of service rules, the FMCSA requires most commercial truck drivers to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track how much time they spend driving and off duty. These devices:

• Automatically record driving hours, rest breaks, and on-duty status to ensure compliance with FMCSA HOS regulations.
• Replace traditional paper logs, reducing the risk of falsified records.
• Help investigators determine whether a driver exceeded their legal driving limits if an accident occurs.

Failure to comply with FMCSA regulations can result in severe penalties, license suspensions, and increased liability in South Carolina truck accident claims. If you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in South Carolina and suspect FMCSA violations played a role, The Lovely Law Firm is ready to fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Get Legal Help Today.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by hours of service violations, overweight loads, inadequate maintenance, or any other FMCSA rule violation, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

The Lovely Law Firm is committed to holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. Our legal team has the experience and dedication to fight for maximum compensation for victims of commercial truck accidents.

Call [phone] for a FREE, no-obligation consultation, or fill out our online form to get started. Let us help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.