On May 14, 2020, FMCSA released a “final rule” making four significant changes to its Hours of Service (HOS) rules in Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
The coming reforms expand split-sleeper berth options given drivers to allow them to split their 10-hour off-duty period into windows of seven hours and three hours, in addition to the existing eight-hour, two-hour option. This change means that the shorter window in any split of off-duty time will not count against drivers’ 14-hour on-duty clock.
The changes also include provisions around the 30-minute break requirement, allowing drivers to use the break in an on-duty, not-driving status and requiring it within their first eight hours of drive time, rather than their first eight hours on duty. The revision also addresses adverse driving conditions and the CMV Short-haul Exemption.
According to the FMCSA, the rule should be published in the Federal Register in the coming week, and the changes will become effective 120 days after its publication. According to Dave Osiecki of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, this means the changes will not become effective until September 2020.
Teamsters Union Pushes Back on New Hours Of Service Rule
Meanwhile, the Teamsters Union has pushed back on the new plan, saying it enables longer hours on the road. “In an effort to increase so-called ‘flexibility’ for trucking companies, the FMCSA is abandoning safety and allowing drivers to push themselves to the limit even further,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said in a release. “Trucking is already one of the nation’s most dangerous jobs. We shouldn’t be sacrificing the health and safety of drivers just to pad the profits of their big business bosses.”
Want to know more about what these new changes mean to you?
Find out in a new quick-read report from Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, which covers:
- 30 Minute Rest Break
- CMV Short-haul Exemption
- Adverse Driving Conditions
- Split Sleeper Berth Rule
- And a handy chart that compares the old rule to the new rule and provides an impact report.
Find out how the new Hours of Service changes will affect you — get your copy now!
