FMCSA has revised the hours of service regulations for drivers. The short haul exception has been expanded to 150 air miles and is permitting a 14 hour work shift. Additional revisions include expanding the driving window during adverse driving conditions by up to an additional 2 hours, requiring a a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break, and modification to the sleeper berth exception to allow a driver to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7 hours of that period in the berth and a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside of the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours, and that neither qualifying period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
The final rule will be effective as of September 29, 2020. Petitions for Reconsideration must be received by July 1, 2020.
