DOT (U.S Department of Transportation) has new regulations that will save American taxpayers $4 billion from truck drivers hours of service.
July 16th DOT said that the changes from the regulations will bring savings to the U.S economy, adding up to $90 billion since 2017.
The reformed hours of service regulations will start in September 2020 & will cut $4 billion in regulatory costs over time.
“Tackling overly bureaucratic, inflexible, outdated government regulations that don’t contribute to increased safety benefits the public, helps spur economic growth and creates jobs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
This being discussed in May 2020, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) predicts that new rules in effect such as a 30 min break drivers would be required to take can save consumers & the economy $274 million per year.
Although unclear what the discrepancy between $4 billion & $274 million is, these are some of the key changes made that will take place September 29, 2020:
The Agency will increase safety and flexibility for 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.
- The Agency will modify 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.
- The Agency will modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending by two hours the maximum window during which driving is permitted.
- The Agency will change 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.
These regulations are meant for most commercial motor vehicle drivers must comply. A commercial motor vehicle that is used in interstate commerce that could fit these descriptions is required to comply:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
The hours of service regulations final rule for truck drivers was made effective in 2012. Now DOT new regulations will save taxpayers $4 billion…Click here if you’d like to read a full summary of the hours of service regulations for property and passenger carrying drivers.
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