The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced their final ruling on the Hours of Service (HOS) for commercial truck drivers.  The revised rules were put into place to improve highway safety.  According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, “This final rule will help prevent fatigue related truck crashes and saves lives. Truck drivers deserve a work environment that allows them to perform their jobs safely”.

The revised rules go into effect July 1, 2013, giving an 18 month transition period.  The President of the American Trucking Association, Bill Graves said, “by delaying implementation of this rule, the agency is acknowledging there is no safety crisis on our highways”. The new rules include:

1.  The hours a truck driver can drive, within a seven day period, was changed from 82 hours to 70 hours.

2.  Truck drivers have to take at least a 30 minute break after working 8 hours.

3.  The 34 hour restart rule requires truck drivers who drive the maximum number of hours during the week to take at least 2 nights rest, between 1am to 5 am. According to the  final rule drivers can use the restart  provision one time during a 7 day week.

4.  Drivers can be penalized up to $2,750 for driving 3 or more hours after the 11 hour limit and the carrier can face up to $11,000 in civil penalties per offense.

5.  The daily driving limit of 11 hours a day will stay the same for the time being.

Inland Transport is committed to safety, quality and low freight quotes. Contact us for a free freight quote or call 888-881-0889.