Oilfield Hours of Service: 4 Rules Explained (2026)
Oil and gas work rarely follows a neat schedule, and the hours of service rules recognize that with special provisions in 49 CFR 395.1(d). They help, but they are narrower than many drivers think. Here are the four rules that matter and who can use them.
Oilfield Provisions at a Glance
| Provision | What it does | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hour restart | Restarts the 8 day period after 24 hours off | Drivers of CMVs used exclusively in oilfield operations |
| Well site waiting time | Waiting at a well site is off duty | Specially trained drivers of specially constructed well servicing vehicles |
| Waiting time outside the 14 hours | That waiting time does not count toward the driving window | The same specially trained drivers |
| Everything else | Normal 11 hour, 10 hour and break rules | All oilfield drivers |
1. The 24 Hour Restart
Under 395.1(d)(1), for drivers of vehicles used exclusively to transport oilfield equipment, including stringing and picking up pipe used in pipelines, and servicing the field operations of the natural gas and oil industry, any period of 8 consecutive days can end with 24 or more consecutive hours off duty. That is 10 hours shorter than the normal 34 hour restart.
The key word is exclusively. A truck that hauls oilfield equipment one week and general freight the next does not qualify. Fleets that mix work need to track which trucks and drivers qualify and when.
2. Well Site Waiting Time
395.1(d)(2) covers drivers of vehicles specially constructed to service oil wells, such as wireline, cementing or pumping units, who are specially trained to operate that equipment. When those drivers wait at a natural gas or oil well site, the waiting time is recorded as off duty and does not count toward the 14 hour window. It still has to be shown in the log, so the record is honest about where the driver was.
A driver of an ordinary truck delivering water or sand to a site is not covered just because he waits at a well. FMCSA guidance ties the provision to the special vehicle and the special training together.
3. How to Log Waiting Time on an ELD
Many ELDs do not have a dedicated oilfield waiting status. Common practice is to log the time as off duty and add a clear annotation such as "Oilfield waiting time, well site, Reeves County, TX." Some apps offer an oilfield ruleset that applies the 24 hour restart and handles waiting time, so check your settings. An app left on the standard ruleset may flag violations that are not real, or miss real ones.
| Situation | How to log |
|---|---|
| Specially trained wireline operator waiting for the crew at a well site | Off duty, annotated as oilfield waiting time |
| Sand hauler waiting in line at a site | On duty not driving |
| Oilfield driver off for 24 hours before a new 8 day period | Off duty, restart applied under the oilfield ruleset |
4. What Stays the Same
The oilfield provisions do not change the 11 hour driving limit, the 10 hour off duty requirement or the 30 minute break. Oilfield drivers still need a registered ELD unless another exemption applies, such as short haul. Many service trucks work within 150 air miles of a yard and return daily, so short haul can be the simpler option for those operations.
Common Mistakes
- Applying the 24 hour restart to trucks that also haul non oilfield freight.
- Logging general waiting time as off duty for drivers who are not trained operators of specially built vehicles.
- Leaving waiting time out of the log entirely.
- Running the ELD on the standard ruleset so the clocks are wrong.
Fleets that run both oilfield and general freight work should set clear rules for when a driver moves from one ruleset to the other. Switching back to the standard rules means the normal 34 hour restart applies again, and any hours worked under the oilfield period still count toward the 60 or 70 hour limit until they roll off.
Auditors in oil producing states see these issues often. If your ELD struggles with oilfield rules, our best ELD devices list and buyer checklist can help you find one that handles them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oilfield 24 hour restart?
Drivers of CMVs used exclusively in oilfield operations can end an 8 day period with 24 consecutive hours off duty instead of 34.
Is all waiting time at a well site off duty?
No. Only specially trained drivers of specially constructed oil well servicing vehicles can log well site waiting time as off duty.
Do oilfield drivers need an ELD?
Yes, unless another exemption applies, such as the 150 air mile short haul exception.
Sources
All prices, terms and registration details were checked October 2026 on the pages below. Providers change pricing often, so confirm before you buy.