USA Property Carrier Cycle Complete Guide

This guide covers everything you need to know about the USA Property Carrier Cycle, including cycle rules, reset periods, and managing your Hours of Service (HOS) effectively. Follow the step-by-step instructions to stay compliant with regulations. For additional support, refer to the detailed guide or watch the instructional video for a comprehensive overview.

Cycle Types

  • 60-hour/7-day cycle

  • 70-hour/8-day cycle

Core Rules

Shift Requirements

  1. Initial Rest

    • Shift begins after 10+ hours of:

      • Off-duty time

      • Sleeper berth time

      • Waiting time

      • Any combination of the above

  2. Time Limitations

    • 14-hour shift limit from start

    • Maximum 11 driving hours per 14-hour shift

    • Must break after 8 hours of driving time

  3. Break Requirements

    • A minimum 30-minute break is required after 8 hours of driving

    • Can be satisfied by:

      • Off-duty time

      • Sleeper berth time

      • On-duty not driving

      • Waiting time

Cycle Hours

  • Calculated from 7/8 days before the current day's end

  • 60/70-hour limit on combined on-duty/driving time

  • Reset options available

Split Sleeper Berth Rules

  1. Qualifying Periods

    • Two periods totaling 10+ hours

    • One period must be 7-10 hours in sleeper

    • Second period must be 2-10 hours off-duty/sleeper

  2. Impact on Hours

    • Neither period counts toward the shift clock

    • 7-10 hour sleeper period extends shift by the same duration

Reset Options

  1. 34-Hour Reset

    • Available anytime

    • Completely resets cycle

  2. 24-Hour Reset

    • Special exception

    • Requires 24+ hours off-duty/sleeper

    • Starts new cycle

Exceptions

Standard Exceptions

  1. 8-Hour Break Exception

    • Exempts from 30-minute break requirement

  2. 16-Hour Short-Haul

    • Allows 16-hour shift once per week

    • Also available after 34-hour restart

  3. Adverse Driving Conditions

    • Extends shift by 2 hours

    • Extends 11-hour driving to 13 hours

Violations

Time Violations

  • 14-hour shift violation

  • 11-hour driving violation

  • 30-minute break violation

Cycle Violations

  • 60-hour cycle violation

  • 70-hour cycle violation

Exception Violations

  • Adverse driving - 13-hour violation

  • 16-hour exception - shift violation

Important Notes

  • Monitor hours carefully

  • Document all exceptions

  • Maintain accurate logs

  • Plan routes considering available hours

  • Keep supporting documentation

Need assistance? Contact your fleet manager or Matrack support for clarification on rules and requirements.

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