The Modern Workplace

First, the changes apply only to drivers of a CMV. A CMV is a vehicle that fits anyof the following descriptions:

       Weighs 10,001 pounds or more

       Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 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

       A vehicle that is involve in interstate or intrastate commerce and is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards is also consider a CMV

 In addition, the new rules apply to drivers of a CMV who either:

       Are engaged in interstate commerce and have to comply with FMCSs safety regulations; or

       Are engaged in intrastate commerce conducted entirely within a single state and that state has adopted and enforces the new federal HOS regulations

       30 Minute Rest Break:  Under the regulations, the driver of a CMV will not be permitted to drive if more than 8 consecutive hours have passed since the end of the drivers last rest break of 30 consecutive minutes. The regulations do not specify when the 30 minute rest break is required within the 8 hour window. During the rest break the driver is not permitted to perform any duties related to the job. For drivers operating a truck with a sleeper berth, the 30 minute rest break can be taken in the sleeper berth. Drivers who use log books are required to record the 30 minute rest break as off duty. The 30 minute rest period does not extend the maximum duty day of 14 hours. As a result, the on duty day is shortened to 13 and 1/2 hours. Maximum drive time remains 11 hours per day which leaves 2 and 1/2 hours of non-driving work time.

       Reduction of Hours a Driver Can Log in a 7-Day Period:  The current rule allows a driver to work up to his or her 60 or 70 hour limit, take a 34-hour restart break, then drive again. The current regulation allowed drivers to accumulate 82 working hours in a 7-day period. Under the new rule, the maximum number of hours a driver can work and drive is limited to 70 hours per week. A restart break must now include two back-to-back nighttime periods of rest from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., which may force some drivers to be off duty for more than 34 hours. In addition, the driver may only use the restart option once in any 168-hour period (7-days). Under the new regulation, a driver cannot start another restart break until 168 hours have passed since the start of his or her last restart break.

The new regulations will have a big impact on the number of hours that commercial drivers will be allowed to drive. It is important for employers to understand the new regulations well before July 1 in order to plan for the changes that will impact their businesses. Summary charts of the changes to the regulations can be found at the FMCSs website found here.