Revised HOS Rule Released

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released the revised hour-of-service (HOS) rules today.

The new rule reduces the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week by 12 hours. Under the previous rule, drivers could work up to 82 hours within a seven day period — that’s now been limited to 70 hours.

Truck drivers also now cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. Drivers, the FMCSA said, can take the 30-minute break whenever they need to during the eight-hour window.

The daily driving limit of 11 hours has been retained, but the FMCSA said it will continue to examine if there are any risks associated with the 11 hour driving time.

The revised rule also requires that drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take at least two-nights’ rest when their 24-hour body clock demands sleep the most — from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

"This rest requirement is part of the rule’s "34-hour restart" provision that allows drivers to restart the clock on their work week by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty," FMCSA stated in a press release. "The final rule allows drivers to use the restart provision only once during a seven-day period."

Commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with the HOS final rule by July 1, 2013. The rule is being sent to the Federal Register today.

Todaystrucking.com will have industry reactions as they develop.

For more on the rule, check out the FMCSA’s website here.
 


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