A refrigerated truck driver can drive a total of 11 straight hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. A driver's total length of service can. At Fortune Carriers Inc., regular testing includes air filters, coolant levels and electrical systems. This prevents breakdowns, saves money and keeps our equipment running smoothly for years.
The Hours of Service (HOS) regulations apply to all truck drivers, but refrigerated vehicle drivers have additional things to juggle. Constantly monitoring the refrigerated unit, waiting during certain loading processes (especially in the case of delicate pharmaceutical loads) and knowing that the cargo is perishable means that you must be more disciplined when it comes to driving and working. For example, a driver who encounters a sudden and unexpected snowstorm that slows him down can drive up to 13 hours within 16 hours to reach the next safe place. Once a driver starts the “day of service”, the clock for 14 consecutive hours starts and does not stop or stop for any reason, including breaks, meals, fuel or waiting time.
A driver can drive for 4 hours, take a 1-hour break (which still counts for the 14-hour clock) and then drive for another 7 hours. However, for a standard shift, the 14-hour clock is a continuous, uninterrupted countdown until you take a full break of 10 consecutive hours out of service, which then resets the clock for the next shift. Understanding the federal rules on hours of service for refrigerated truck drivers is the best defense against the violation and the fine. The actual payload capacity of a refrigerated trailer is reduced depending on the weight of the trailer itself and the refrigeration unit.
If a short-distance driver exceeds 150 air miles or works for more than 14 hours, they lose the exception for that day and must complete a full registration throughout the day. For drivers, a violation can result in being “out of service” on a road inspection for a minimum of 10 hours, or until they have accumulated enough time off duty to return to compliance. This increase in demand makes transporting refrigerated vehicles not only a vital service for customers, but also a smart decision for anyone in the industry. Once a driver starts the “day of service”, the clock starts for 14 consecutive hours and does not stop or stop for any reason, including breaks, meals, fuel or waiting time.
For example, the exception for adverse driving conditions cannot be used in case of foreseeable delays, such as traffic at peak times. Unlike a standard dry van, which is basically a closed box, a refrigerated trailer has an integrated cooling unit and heavily insulated walls, floor and roof. To start transporting refrigerated vehicles, you need a reliable semitrailer and a refrigerated trailer equipped with a working refrigeration unit.
