Hours-of-Service Proposal In Limbo

A proposal to update driver hours of service remains in regulatory limbo.

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As Transport Topics went to press, the Office of Management and Budget at the White House had not yet approved the overhaul of the 61-year-old regulations, casting into doubt earlier predictions by Department of Transportation officials that the long-anticipated proposal would be made public by April 28.

The draft was sent to OMB Dec. 3 for a mandatory three-month review. After the White House signs off, the proposal must be given final clearance by Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater. It will then be published in the Federal Register and opened to public comment. Hearings in seven cities are also planned.

DOT reportedly wants to let drivers to work up to 14 hours a day with two hours of rest breaks. The difference between on-duty time and driving time would be eliminated. Current law allows drivers to work 15 hours, of which a maximum 10 hours can be spent behind the wheel.

For the full story, see the Apr. 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.