U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, last week introduced H.R. 5417 The Responsible and Effective Standards for Truckers Act, saying it โwould modernize hours of service regulations for truck drivers.โ
The REST Act would allow drivers to take one rest break per shift, for up to three consecutive hours. The single off-duty period would not be counted toward the driverโs 14-hour, on-duty allowance and would not extent the total, allowable drive limits.
โIโm proud to introduce the REST Act today and give Americaโs truckers the options they need to safely operate under todayโs rigid federal regulations,โ said Rep. Babin. โThis bill is an important step in making the way for improved highway safety.โ
The REST Act requires the Department of Transportation to update Hours of Service regulations to allow a rest break once per 14-hour duty period for up to 3 consecutive hours as long as the driver is off-duty, effectively pausing the 14-hour clock. However, drivers would still need to log ten consecutive hours off duty before the start of their next work shift. It would also eliminate the existing 30-minute rest break requirement.
