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Dec 18, 2007 12:10 PM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published its latest hours-of-service interim final rule in the Federal Register that allows drivers up to 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour, non-extendable window from the start of the workday, following 10 consecutive hours off duty (11-hour limit).

FMCSA announced its decision December 11 and said at that time the agency would be publishing the information.

According to the December 17 publication, the interim rule (49 CFR Parts 385 and 395)also allows motor carriers and drivers to restart calculations of the weekly on-duty time limits after the driver has at least 34 consecutive hours off duty (34-hour restart).

FMCSA said the interim final rule was necessary to prevent disruption to enforcement and compliance with the HOS rules when a court-imposed stay expires, as well as possible effects on the timely delivery of essential goods and services. The interim final rule becomes effective December 27.

FMCSA said the decision ensures that a familiar and uniform set of national rules governs motor carrier transportation, while FMCSA gathers public comments on all aspects of this interim final rule, conducts peer review of our analysis, and considers the appropriate final rule that addresses the issues identified by the Court. Comments must be submitted before February 15, 2008. More information is available online in the Federal Register.