The past week has been an interesting one in the world of trucking and has resulted in the suspension of two provisions of the FMCSA’s Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
The two rules being suspended are the provision requiring a drivers’ 34-hour restart to include two 1 AM to 5 AM periods and the provision limiting the use of a 34-hour restart to once per week. The rule will be suspended until September 30, 2015.
On December 16, 2014, President Obama signed the bill that officially suspends the 34-Hour Restart. Effective immediately, carriers no longer have to include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods and the once-per-week limit, previously included in the Hour of Service regulations.
FirstFleet OmniTracs/Qualcomm units are presently being updated to support the new rules and are expected to be completely updated for any 34 hour restart beginning after midnight Friday morning.
The FMCSA is now tasked with studying the impact Hours of Service has on drivers, carriers and safety and they must present a report to Congress with the result that the provisions boost safety if they are to go back in effect.