Under California law, how many hours on duty may a driver work consecutively without a break?

Answer: B — 16 hours

In California, the law allows a driver to be on duty for a maximum of 16 consecutive hours, which includes the time spent driving and performing other work-related activities. It's important for drivers to understand this limit because it helps ensure that they take adequate rest to maintain safety on the road. After reaching this 16-hour limit, drivers are required to take a mandatory off-duty period to rest and recover before they can resume driving. This regulation is designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents and to promote safer driving conditions. Knowing the hours of service regulations is crucial for professional drivers to avoid violations and maintain their commercial driver's license.