New HOS Rules by The FMCSA
Yesterday the FMCSA announced approved changes to the HOS rules. The changes will go into effect 120 days after they’re published in the Federal Register (probably in the next week or two).
The revisions are as follows:
Drivers will now be allowed to take their 30-minute break from driving even if they’re “On-Duty”
They can now use a 7/3 and 8/2 split (originally just 8/2)for the sleeper berth provision. Additionally, where the shorter period used to count towards on-duty time, now it will not.
The exemption for adverse driving conditions will be extended by two hours. This will allow drivers up to a total of four additional hours of driving time on top of the 11-hour and 14-hour clocks.
The short-haul exemption will allow for driver’s maximum on-duty time to increase from 12 to 14 hours. Additionally, the distance limit which qualifies a load as ‘short haul’ will be increased from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.