Final FMCSA driver hours rule remains friendly to construction materials hauling

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.; CP staff

A final U.S. DOT rule updating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hours of service (HOS) terms increases flexibility for the 30-minute break provision by requiring a work pause after eight hours of consecutive driving and allowing it to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status. Effective in August, the rule also changes the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening their maximum on duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which they can operate from 100 to 150 air miles.

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