The entire world uses trucks and drivers for many types of work.  There are owner-operators, company drivers, and Independent owner-operators.  The job categories are regional, Interstate, Team, Tanker, Vocational, Drayage, and Bullrack Drivers.  Each requires special skills to carry out their particular job.  While we are acquainted with the rules and regulations of the United States regarding restrictive hours, it is interesting to compare them with the requirements of other countries.
In the United States, working hours of service is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations.  They are:

• After driving 12 hours during a 14-hour period, the driver must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours.
• After 8 hours off duty drivers cannot drive more than 10 consecutive hours or

after 10 hours off duty cannot drive more than 14 straight hours.

• They may not drive more than 60 hours on 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours on 8 consecutive days.
• In Alaska, a driver can work a maximum of 70 hours per week.  The driving limit is 11 hours per day with a 30-minute break every 8 hours.  It may be taken at any time during that 8 hours.  Two nights rest is required between 1:a.m to 5:00 a.m. during a 24-hour period.

There are electronic on-board recorders on many trucks, which automatically record all its movements.  Currently the FMCSA is considering making this mandatory on all trucks to enable drivers to keep better records of the actual driving hours.
Australia drivers of a gross vehicle mass of more than 12 tons are strictly regulated.

• A 30-minute break must be taken every 5 hours and every 14 hours the driver must stop for 10 hours.  This includes non-driving duties.
• After 72 hours, they must spend 24 hours away from the vehicle.

Canada has rules regarding any driver operating a truck, tractor, trailer, or combination with a gross weight over 4,500 kg, or a 24-passenger bus.  Their regulations are complicated as they are specifically designed for two different areas of the country.  In the 60 degree, North Parallel these include:

• A limit of 13 hours maximum driving in a period of 24 hours.
• Eight consecutive hours of rest is required every 24 hours.
• An additional 2 hours in a minimum of 30-minute blocks is also required.
• They have ‘Cycles’ which limit the total amount allowed before time off is required.  Cycle 1- a 7-day period requires 70 hours rest.  Cycle 2- a 14-day period requires 120 hours off.

European Union regulations are strict as well.

• Non-stop driving is limited to 4.5 hours.  After that time, the driver must rest for 45 minutes.
• The law states that no one is allowed to drive over 9 hours, but then states it can be extended to almost 10 hours twice per week.
• Total driving time for the week cannot exceed 56 hours.
• A driver cannot work more than 90 hours in a two-week period.