Trucking Hours of Service Compliance Changes

Starting on September 29, 2020 motor carriers are required to comply with the following new regulations:

1. Sleep Berth Provision that allows drivers to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7, rather than at least 8 of that period in the berth and 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, and that neither qualify period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
2. Adverse Driving Conditions Exception adds an additional two hours to the driving window during adverse driving conditions.
3. Short-haul Exception is expanded to 150 air-miles and allows a 14-hour work shift to take place as part of the exception.
4. 30 Minute Break Requirement after 8 hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break.

Who must comply with these new regulations?

If you meet any one of these descriptions you are classified as a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

• Transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
• Designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
• Designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including driver) not for compensation
• Has a gross vehicle rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
• Weighs 10,001 pounds or more

If you have any questions or would like to participate in an hour long Question and Answer Session click here to sign up through The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA). Hours of Service (HOS) Question and Answer Session

Sources:
FMCSA. “Hours of Service.” FMCSA, 2020, www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service.