Truckers Expect New HOS Rules Would Resemble Existing Plan

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ith a congressional deadline to rewrite the existing driver hours-of-service rules looming just six weeks away, industry sources said they believe the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new regulations would be very similar to the current rules.

The agency has until Sept. 30 to issue new rules governing the amount of time truckers can work. Its current rules were vacated last year by a federal appeals court because, among other things, it did not consider the rules’ effect on driver health.

In January, the agency republished its revision of the 60-year-old rules, seeking public comments on how the regulations could be improved to meet the court’s requirements and asking for data about the industry’s experience under the regulation.

“To me, my read, if you read between the lines, FMCSA was really looking to justify keeping the rule as is,” said Rick Craig, director of regulatory affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

For the full story, see the Aug. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.