FMCSA Hours of Service Final Rule

The FMCSA released a Final Rule on Hours of Service recently. Please use the below information as a quick reference on what the update entails.

Outline of Updates

  • Revised the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break after 8 hours of consecutive driving and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status.
  • Modified the sleeper-berth exception to allow drivers to split their required 10 hours off-duty into two periods: an 8/2 split, or a 7/3 split, with neither period counting against the driver’s 14‑hour driving window.
  • Modified the adverse driving conditions exception by extending by two hours the maximum window during which driving is permitted.
  • Altered the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening the drivers’ maximum on‑duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the driver may operate from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.

Update the software on your devices by September 28 to ensure your ELD equipment follows the new rule changes when they go into effect.

Helpful Tips

Resources

Please see below for an attached copy of the Final Rule, as well as a press release, a fact sheet, and a side-by-side comparison of the new rule with the previous regulations.

If you would like a copy of the Final Rule (232 page PDF document), please contact your Account Manager.