Truck Dispatcher TruckDisp Advanced Hours of Service (HOS) 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A driver's ELD malfunctions mid-trip. What must the dispatcher ensure the driver does?
- Pull over and wait for a replacement ELD before continuing
- Reconstruct missing logs on paper and continue; carrier must repair ELD within 8 days (Correct answer)
- Switch to a personal conveyance log until the ELD is repaired
- Contact FMCSA directly to obtain a temporary waiver
Correct answer: Reconstruct missing logs on paper and continue; carrier must repair ELD within 8 days
When an ELD malfunctions, drivers must reconstruct logs on paper for the current 24-hour period and the previous 7 days, and the carrier must repair or replace the device within 8 days.
Question 2: Under FMCSA regulations, what is the minimum off-duty time required before a property-carrying driver can reset their HOS and begin a new shift?
- 8 consecutive hours
- 10 consecutive hours (Correct answer)
- 11 consecutive hours
- 34 consecutive hours
Correct answer: 10 consecutive hours
Property-carrying drivers must take a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off duty before starting a new driving shift.
Question 3: A dispatcher is planning loads for a team driving operation. What is the maximum number of hours either driver in a team may drive within a 24-hour period?
- 11 hours each, for a combined 22 hours
- 11 hours each, individually capped at 11 (Correct answer)
- 13 hours if the other driver takes a 10-hour break
- 14 hours combined if both drivers alternate
Correct answer: 11 hours each, individually capped at 11
In team driving, each individual driver is still limited to 11 hours of driving within their own 14-hour on-duty window.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'adverse driving conditions' as an HOS exception?
- Any weather that reduces visibility below 500 feet
- Unexpected snow, ice, fog, or other conditions encountered en route that were not foreseeable (Correct answer)
- Construction zones that slow traffic for more than 2 hours
- Driver fatigue that requires additional rest stops
Correct answer: Unexpected snow, ice, fog, or other conditions encountered en route that were not foreseeable
Adverse driving conditions allow up to 2 extra hours of driving time when unforeseen weather or road hazards are encountered after the trip begins.
Question 5: How many hours in a 7-consecutive-day period may a driver work before being required to take 34 hours off under the standard cycle?
- 60 hours (Correct answer)
- 70 hours
- 80 hours
- 55 hours
Correct answer: 60 hours
Under the 7-day cycle, a driver may not drive after accumulating 60 on-duty hours; a 34-hour restart is then required to reset the clock.
Question 6: A driver calls dispatch saying they have 2 hours of driving time left but their delivery appointment is 3 hours away. What should a dispatcher do first?
- Tell the driver to push through since they are close
- Check if the shipper or receiver can modify the appointment time (Correct answer)
- Advise the driver to use the adverse driving conditions exception
- Immediately reassign the load to another driver
Correct answer: Check if the shipper or receiver can modify the appointment time
Contacting the shipper or receiver to adjust the appointment allows the driver to take required rest and still make the delivery legally.
Question 7: When tracking driver hours, which tool does a dispatcher typically use to monitor real-time HOS compliance across a fleet?
- Paper log review at end of day
- Transportation Management System (TMS) integrated with ELD data (Correct answer)
- Manual spreadsheet updated by drivers via phone
- Physical log books mailed to dispatch weekly
Correct answer: Transportation Management System (TMS) integrated with ELD data
A TMS integrated with ELD data provides real-time visibility into each driver's HOS status, allowing dispatchers to plan loads proactively.
Truck Dispatcher TruckDisp Advanced Hours of Service (HOS) 3
A driver's ELD malfunctions mid-trip.
What must the dispatcher ensure the driver does?