FMCSA has granted an exemption from the federal hours of service regulations to motor carriers transporting security sensitive hazardous materials requiring a security plan. The federal hours of service regulation prevents CMV drivers from driving if more than 8 consecutive hours have passed since the driver’s last off duty or sleeper berth period of 30 or more minutes. The security plans would normally require drivers to attend such cargo while stopped. That is considered an on-duty activity under the hours of service regulation. As a result of the exemption drivers will now be permitted to count their on-duty attendance of hazardous materials cargo towards their required 30 minute rest break as long as they do not perform any other on-duty activities during that time.
Hours of Service of Drivers: Application for Exemption; American Trucking Associations, Inc.
