Earlier today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the US Department of Transportation published its long-awaited Final Rule on Truck Driver Hours of Service. Key elements of the new final rule are:
Retained Under the New Rule
The current 11-hour daily driving limit is retained. FMCSA had raised the possibility (some would say the preference) for maximum daily driving time to be reduced to 10 hours;
The maximum driving window will continue to be 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty;
The 60 hours in 7 days and 70-hours in 8 days cycles stay the same.
Major Changes
The 34-hour restart provision is: (1) Being limited to once per week (every 168 hours); (2) Will require anyone using the provision to include within it two night periods between 1:00 a.m.- 5:00 a.m. of rest;
Truck drivers will not be allowed to drive after having been on-duty for 8 consecutive hours without first taking an off-duty break of at least 30 minutes. Drivers can however take the 30-minute break before 8 consecutive hours are up. The break will count against the 14-hour driving window.
Compliance
Compliance is required no later than July 1, 2013.
CTA will provide further analysis on the Final Rule in the New Year
