34-Hour Restart
A provision allowing drivers to reset their weekly HOS clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off.
Definition
The 34-hour restart provision allows CMV drivers to reset their 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day driving clock by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. After a valid restart, the driver begins a fresh weekly period. This provision is commonly used over weekends — a driver who parks Friday evening and doesn't start again until Sunday morning has completed a restart.
Why it matters to you
The restart is how you get your weekly hours back rather than trickling them in a day at a time. Whether it is worth taking depends on where you are parked and what the next load looks like — a restart in the wrong place burns days you do not get paid for. Plan it around a hometime window or a reload point and it costs you almost nothing.
FAQ
What does 34-Hour Restart mean?
A provision allowing drivers to reset their weekly HOS clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off.
Why does 34-Hour Restart matter to a driver?
The restart is how you get your weekly hours back rather than trickling them in a day at a time. Whether it is worth taking depends on where you are parked and what the next load looks like — a restart in the wrong place burns days you do not get paid for. Plan it around a hometime window or a reload point and it costs you almost nothing.
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Related Terms
HOS (Hours of Service)
FMCSA regulations limiting how long drivers can operate commercial vehicles.
ELD (Electronic Logging Device)
A device that electronically records driving time and Hours of Service.
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
The federal agency that regulates the trucking industry.