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Oct 4, 2005 7:41 AM

The new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service (HOS) rule went into effect October 1, 2005, despite challenges by several organizations. The new rule spells out the length of time commercial drivers can operate trucks before they are required to take a break.

FMCSA has provided a three-month transition period from October 1 through December 31, 2005, to give the industry and state law enforcement officials time to adjust to the new rules.

The new rule replaces regulations that were last updated in 2003. Parts of the rule, including the maximum driving time and minimum rest limits remain the same. However, the rule includes changes affecting short-haul operators and longer distance drivers who use in-cab sleeper-berths for their rest.

The rule requires drivers who use sleeper berths to take eight consecutive hours in the berth, plus another two consecutive hours off-duty. The additional two hours may be taken in or out of the berth.

FMCSA issued the rule August 19, 2005.

The newest rule replaces a 2003 regulation that was successfully challenged in federal court. The court sent FMCSA back to the drawing board to design a new rule.

As in the 2003 regulations, the new rule prohibits truckers from driving more than eleven hours in a row, working longer than 14 hours in a shift, and driving more than 60 hours over a seven-day period or 70 hours over an eight-day period In addition, the new rule requires truckers to rest for at least 10 hours between shifts and provides a 34-hour period to recover from cumulative fatigue.

To see the rule in its entirety, click here.