News Alert
FMCSA'S New Hours of Service (HOS) Rules Now in Effect
September 29, 2020
On June 1, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised four provisions of the hours of service (HOS) regulations to provide greater flexibility for drivers without adversely affecting safety. Motor carriers are required to comply with the new HOS regulations starting on September 29, 2020.
What Changed?
Short-haul Exception
Expands the short-haul exception to 150 air-miles and allows a 14-hour work shift to take place as part of the exception.
Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
Expands the driving window during adverse driving conditions by up to an additional 2 hours.
30-Minute Break Requirement
Requires break of at least 30 consecutive minutes after 8 cumulative hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break.
Sleeper Berth Provision
Modifies the sleeper berth exception to allow a driver to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7 hours of that period in the berth combined with a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours. When used together as specified, neither qualify period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
Educational Tool for Hours of Service (ETHOS)
The FMCSA launched a new online tool that allows users to enter driver records of duty status to see if there are potential violations with the new hours of service regulations.
Learn More About The HOS Final Rule
Who Must Comply?
Most commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers must comply. In general, a CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce and fits any of these descriptions:
Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards