As a truck driver, time is your most valuable asset. Every hour spent off the road means lost revenue. One of the biggest frustrations for drivers is the 34-hour reset—a mandatory break required when you hit your 70-hour limit in an 8-day period (or 60 hours in 7 days, depending on your cycle).
While some drivers see the reset as a necessary rest period, others prefer to keep moving and maximize their earnings. The good news? With the right strategy, you can avoid the 34-hour restart altogether and maintain a rolling schedule that keeps your wheels turning.
Let’s break down how the 70-hour rule works and how you can structure your driving hours to avoid long resets.
Understanding the 70-Hour/8-Day Rule
The Hours of Service (HOS) regulations state that drivers can work a maximum of:
– 70 hours in 8 days (for most drivers)
– 60 hours in 7 days (for certain carriers)
Once you reach this limit, you must either:
- Take a 34-hour reset to regain your full 70 hours, or
- Use the rolling recap method to get hours back daily—allowing you to keep driving without stopping for a long reset.
If you manage your time correctly, you never run out of available driving hours and never have to stop for a 34-hour reset.
Why Avoid the 34-Hour Reset?
Lost Income – Sitting for 34 hours means no money is being made.
Stuck in Remote Areas – If your reset happens at a truck stop in the middle of nowhere, you may have limited food and rest options.
Forced Downtime – Once your reset starts, you cannot move the truck without violating HOS rules.
By managing your hours strategically, you can stay compliant, keep earning, and avoid being stranded.
The Rolling Recap Method: How It Works
Instead of using all 70 hours in 6 days and getting stuck, you can structure your work hours to never hit zero. Here’s how:
1️⃣ Day 1: Work 10 hours → 60 hours remain
2️⃣ Day 2: Work 10 hours → 50 hours remain
3️⃣ Day 3: Work 10 hours → 40 hours remain
4️⃣ Day 4: Work 10 hours → 30 hours remain
5️⃣ Day 5: Work 10 hours → 20 hours remain
6️⃣ Day 6: Work 10 hours → 10 hours remain
7️⃣ Day 7: Work 10 hours → 0 hours remain
If you follow this method, you would be forced to stop because you ran out of hours. However, on Day 8, the 10 hours you worked on Day 1 “roll off” and become available again.
So instead of stopping for 34 hours, you continue driving daily as old hours return to your available cycle.
Rolling Recap Tip:
Work 9-10 hours per day instead of maxing out at 11 hours—this keeps your daily available hours consistent and prevents you from reaching zero.
How to Apply the Rolling Recap Strategy
Monitor your available hours daily – Keep track of how many hours will return to your cycle on Day 8.
Plan your routes accordingly – Avoid long-haul trips that might force you into a reset.
Stay flexible – Adjust your driving schedule to ensure you always have hours available for the next day.
Use an ELD or logbook tracker – This will help you see how many hours are rolling over and when.
By following this approach, you’ll never be forced into a long reset and can keep moving efficiently.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Wheels Rolling
Avoiding the 34-hour reset is not about breaking the rules—it’s about understanding them and using them to your advantage. By managing your hours wisely, you can:
Maximize your income
Stay compliant with HOS rules
Avoid getting stuck in remote locations
Avoiding a 34-hour reset is all about smart time management. Another useful tool in your HOS strategy is the Split Sleeper option, which lets you break up your rest period and keep moving. Want to know how it works? Read more here.