On June 1st, FMCSA published changes to truck driver hours of service rules in the Federal Register. The new changes – outlined below – become effective September 29, 2020.
Short-Haul Operations
- Extends drivers’ maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours.
- Extends the air-mile radius within which CDL drivers may operate from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.
30-Minute Rest Break
- Requires a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving time have elapsed.
- Allows a break to be taken in an on-duty, not-driving status.
Sleeper Berth Exception
- Allows drivers to split their required 10-hours off duty into two periods: an 8 and 2 split or a 7 and 3 split, either off duty or in the sleeper berth.
- Neither period counts against the driver’s 14-hour driving window.
Adverse Driving Conditions
- Modifies the adverse driving conditions exception by extending the maximum on-duty window during which driving is permitted by 2 hours.
MMTA will hold virtual training sessions for members on June 30 and July 9. For questions about the new rules, please contact Brenda Tharp (btharp@mdtrucking.org).
