Hours-of-Service Rules in Effect for Truckers

As of January 4, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s updated hours-of-service rules for truck drivers have been in effect, although enforcement will be in the form of “warnings,” rather than citations, for the first two months. “The new safety rule gives us the means to save hundreds of lives, protect billions in commerce, and safeguard our roads and highways for years to come,” stated Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. “We must do whatever we can to make certain everyone is aware and in full compliance as soon as possible.”

The new rule allows truckers to drive 11 hours (up from 10), after 10 consecutive hours (up from 8) off-duty. Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th on-duty hour; the previous rule had prohibited driving after 15 hours on duty. Like the rule it replaces, the revised HOS rule prohibits drivers from driving after being on duty for 60 hours within any period of seven consecutive days, or for 70 hours in any period of eight consecutive days. This on-duty cycle can only be “restarted” once a driver has been off duty for at least 34 consecutive hours.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will ask states to write warnings instead of citations for all but the most flagrant violations during the first 60 days of enforcement. State officials are also being encouraged to use every stop in the first 60 days as an opportunity to educate truckers about the new rules. Detailed information about the rules may be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Home_Files/revised_hos.asp, or by calling the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s toll-free help line at 800/598-5664.

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