What Is Team Driving in Trucking?
Also called: Team Drivers, Sleeper Team, Co-Driver, Team Truck Driving
Team driving means two drivers share one truck, so the truck can keep moving while one driver rests in the sleeper berth. Each driver must follow the hours of service rules alone, and the limits do not add together. A driver in the passenger seat of a moving truck is on duty, with one exception tied to the sleeper berth.
Last reviewed September 23, 2026 · Facts checked October 21, 2026
Key Points
- The hours of service limits apply to each driver, not to the truck: 11 hours of driving, a 14-hour window, and 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days (49 CFR 395.3)
- Driving time is time at the driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle in operation (49 CFR 395.2). Time in the passenger seat is not driving time
- Time in or on a commercial motor vehicle is on-duty time, except resting in a parked truck, resting in a sleeper berth, or up to 3 hours in the passenger seat of a moving truck right before or after at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth (49 CFR 395.2)
- A sleeper berth is a berth that meets the requirements of 49 CFR 393.76 (49 CFR 395.2)
- At least 7 hours in the sleeper berth plus up to 3 hours in the passenger seat can add up to the 10 hours of rest a driver needs (49 CFR 395.1(g)(1)(i)(D))
- A paper log has a line for the name of the co-driver (49 CFR 395.8(d)(9)). An ELD lets team drivers fix driving time assigned to the wrong driver if each lists the other as co-driver (49 CFR 395.30)
- The federal hours rules do not set team pay. The carrier or the contract does
What is team driving in trucking?
Team driving is when two drivers share one truck. One drives while the other rests, and then they switch. The FHWA freight glossary calls this a sleeper team: while one driver sleeps in the berth to build off-duty time, the other drives. The goal is to keep the truck moving for more of the day than one driver could. Both drivers need the right license for the truck and must meet the driver rules in 49 CFR parts 383 and 391.
How many hours can team drivers drive?
The limits are written for each driver. After 10 hours off duty, a driver may drive up to 11 hours inside a 14-hour window. A 30-minute break is due once 8 hours of driving have passed without one (49 CFR 395.3(a)). The weekly limit is also per driver: 60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days. Nothing in the rules caps how long the truck itself moves. That is why a team can cover more miles in a day than a solo driver. Each person still needs real rest.
Is the driver in the passenger seat on duty?
Usually, yes. All time in or on a commercial motor vehicle counts as on-duty time, with three exceptions in 49 CFR 395.2. They are resting in a parked vehicle, resting in a sleeper berth, and up to 3 hours riding in the passenger seat of a moving property-carrying truck right before or after at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth. A co-driver who rides up front for hours is on duty, not driving. To rest, the co-driver goes into the sleeper berth.
Can you team drive without a sleeper berth?
Two drivers can share a day cab, but the resting driver gets no off-duty time that way. A berth counts only if it meets 49 CFR 393.76. Riding in the seat is on-duty time, except for the 3-hour case that also needs a 7-hour sleeper period beside it. So a team in a truck with no sleeper berth gets little help with hours.
How do team drivers log their hours?
Each driver keeps their own record of duty status. A paper log has a line for the name of the co-driver (49 CFR 395.8(d)(9)). An ELD records driving time under the driver who is logged in. If it assigns driving time to the wrong driver, team drivers may fix it with the ELD's edit steps, as long as each lists the other as co-driver (49 CFR 395.30). Ask your carrier how its ELD handles a team.
Do team drivers get paid more?
The federal hours rules do not set pay. Pay depends on the carrier, the lease or your deal with a co-driver. Ask in writing whether miles are split between the two drivers or paid to each, and how you are paid while one of you rests.
Related Free Tools
Sleeper Berth Split Calculator
Check if two rest periods count as a sleeper berth split under the federal rule, and see how many hours you can still drive after the second one.
Hours of Service Trip Planner
Enter a trip and see when you can really arrive once the 11-hour, 14-hour and 30-minute break rules are counted.
Home Time Planner
Plan your route home, see the revenue impact, and figure your home time percentage.
Hours of Service (HOS) Tracker
Full 49 CFR Part 395 tracking. It covers the daily log, 14-hour window, 30-minute break, and the real 60/70-hour weekly rule with 34-hour restart detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is team driving in trucking?+
Two drivers share one truck and take turns driving so it can keep moving. While one drives, the other rests in the sleeper berth. The FHWA freight glossary calls this a sleeper team.
How many hours can a team driver drive?+
The same as any driver: up to 11 hours of driving inside a 14-hour window after 10 hours off duty (49 CFR 395.3). The limits are for each driver, so the truck can run more hours than one driver could.
Can team drivers run 24/7?+
The rules limit each driver, not the truck. A truck can keep moving while each driver stays inside their own limits. Each driver still needs 10 hours off duty, or a valid sleeper split, and cannot pass the weekly limit.
Is the co-driver in the passenger seat on duty?+
Usually, yes. Time in the seat of a moving truck is on-duty time (49 CFR 395.2). The exception is up to 3 hours in the passenger seat right before or after at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth.
Can you team drive without a sleeper?+
You can put two drivers in a day cab, but the resting driver cannot log sleeper berth time without a berth that meets 49 CFR 393.76. Time riding in the seat is on-duty time, so it helps little.
Do team drivers get paid separately?+
The federal hours rules do not say how a team is paid. The carrier sets pay by driver, by mile or by team. Ask for the pay terms in writing before you start.
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This is industry terminology and typical practice. It is not legal or tax advice. Rates, fees, and rules mentioned are general ranges. Confirm the details on your rate confirmation, carrier agreement, or a current official source.