Final answer:
A commercial driver must take a minimum of 34 consecutive hours off-duty after reaching the maximum hours of on-duty time.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, a commercial driver must take a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off-duty after being on-duty for 14 hours. This is known as the 14-hour rule.
Additionally, after being on-duty for 60 hours in a 7-day period or 70 hours in an 8-day period, a commercial driver must take a minimum of 34 consecutive hours off-duty. This is known as the 34-hour restart rule and includes two periods of off-duty time between 1:00 am and 5:00 am.
Therefore, regardless of the cycle, a commercial driver must take at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty after reaching the maximum hours of on-duty time. This helps ensure that drivers are well-rested and able to operate their vehicles safely.