# How long can a charter bus driver drive in one day?

Source: https://bisoncharter.ca/guides/charter-bus-driver-hours-of-service/
Publisher: Bison Charter | Updated: 2026-10-14

## Quick answer

Under Canada's federal hours-of-service rules, a bus driver may drive at most 13 hours and be on duty at most 14 hours before taking 8 consecutive hours off, and may not drive once 16 hours have passed since coming on duty. In the United States, passenger-carrying drivers are limited to 10 hours of driving and 15 hours on duty after 8 hours off. Long same-day trips, such as a Winnipeg–Minneapolis round trip, therefore need a second driver or an overnight stay.

## Key facts

- Canada (federal) — 13 hours driving and 14 hours on duty, then 8 consecutive hours off.
- Canada — no driving after 16 hours have elapsed since the start of the work shift.
- US passenger carriers — 10 hours driving and 15 hours on duty after 8 consecutive hours off.
- Waiting time at a venue or the border usually counts as on-duty time.
- Long same-day trips need two drivers or an overnight stop.

Hours-of-service rules exist to keep tired drivers off the road. They are the main reason some itineraries cost more than expected, or need an overnight stop.

## The Canadian rules

Carriers that cross provincial or national borders follow the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations. In a day, a driver:

- may drive **no more than 13 hours**,
- may not drive after **14 hours on duty**,
- needs **8 consecutive hours off** before driving again,
- may not drive once **16 hours have elapsed** since the shift began, and
- must take at least **10 hours off duty** in a day.

Operators that stay inside Manitoba follow the provincial hours-of-service rules; check the provincial guide for the details.

## The US rules for passenger carriers

Once a Manitoba coach enters the United States, US rules for passenger-carrying vehicles apply:

- **10 hours of driving** after 8 consecutive hours off,
- no driving after **15 hours on duty**,
- plus 60/70-hour weekly limits.

## What counts as "on duty"

On-duty time isn't just driving. Pre-trip inspection, fuelling, waiting at a venue with the vehicle, and waiting at the border usually count. That's why a long wedding day, or an event where the bus waits all afternoon, can hit the limit even with little actual driving.

## What this means for common trips

| Trip from Winnipeg | One-way drive | Same-day return with one driver? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brandon or Kenora | About 2 hours | Yes, with time at the destination |
| Grand Forks | About 2.5–3 hours | Yes |
| Fargo | About 3.5–4 hours | Usually, if the stay is short |
| Regina | About 6 hours | No: overnight or a second driver |
| Minneapolis | About 7.5–8 hours | No: overnight or a second driver |
| Thunder Bay | About 7.5 hours | No: overnight or a second driver |

These are planning guides, not legal advice. Your operator plans the legal schedule and will tell you if your itinerary needs a relief driver or an overnight stop.

## Planning tips

- **Ask the operator** to confirm the itinerary fits within the limits before you book.
- **Budget for the driver's hotel** on overnight trips.
- **Don't extend the day on the fly.** Adding a stop at 10 p.m. may simply not be legal.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can one bus driver do Winnipeg to Minneapolis and back in a day?

No. At about 7.5–8 hours of driving each way, a same-day return exceeds the daily driving limits in both Canada and the US. Plan an overnight stay or a two-driver trip.

### Does waiting time count toward a bus driver's hours?

Generally yes. Time waiting with the vehicle at a venue or border crossing usually counts as on-duty time, even though the bus isn't moving.

## Sources

- [Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313)](https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2005-313/)
- [Manitoba hours of service guide (PDF)](https://web40.gov.mb.ca/mti/mcd/carriers_drivers/pdf/guide/hours_service.pdf)
- [FMCSA summary of hours-of-service regulations](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations)