Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.
After 18-plus months of discussion between NRMCA representatives, federal lawmakers and agency staff, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is exempting concrete mixer truck drivers from the 30-minute break requirement in the current hours of service (HOS) guidelines. NRMCA Chairman Allen Hamblen (CalPortland) credits association members and staff for efforts leading to “much needed regulatory relief for the industry.”
Effective through April 3, 2017, the exemption applies only to mixer drivers who possess a sufficient safety rating with both FMCSA and the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. The agency’s decision holds that if a driver passes the 12-hour threshold in the HOS 100 air-mile logging exemption, he or she does not have to take the break, but rather can apply a previous 30-minute “waiting time” period. Drivers exercising the option must keep a copy of the exemption document in their trucks.
NRMCA Government Affairs staff notes that gaining a permanent break requirement exemption for mixer truck drivers will take Congressional action. To that end, the NRMCA-backed Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In, April 14-15 in Washington, D.C., will afford ready mixed producers opportunity to discuss driver hours of service guidelines with their representatives on Capitol Hill. Additional information on the exemption can be obtained from NRMCA Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Kevin Walgenbach, 240/485-1157; [email protected].
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