Fleetowner 843 Clock
Fleetowner 843 Clock
Fleetowner 843 Clock
Fleetowner 843 Clock
Fleetowner 843 Clock

HOS rulemaking coming

Aug. 16, 2005
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may publish the commercial truck drivers’ hours-of-service (HOS) rules in the Federal Register by Friday or Monday, according to a Truckload Carriers Assn. spokesperson

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may publish the commercial truck drivers’ hours-of-service (HOS) rules in the Federal Register by Friday or Monday, according to a Truckload Carriers Assn. spokesperson. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing the rules for administrative approval.

“It’s not yet confirmed [that the rule will be published by Monday],” David Osiecki, vp of safety for the American Trucking Assns. told Fleet Owner. “The agency wants to beat the Sept. 30 deadline substantially. OMB indicated they are very close to clearing the rule for publication and there are some rumblings from FMCSA that there may be a press briefing from the agency as early as later this week.”

The rules were sent to OMB on July 28 as Congress was passing the highway bill. The highway bill had no language that would codify the existing rules into law, despite support for such a measure from trucking interests and FMCSA. Had Congress codified HOS, the agency would have skirted a court-ordered mandate to issue an HOS final rule that addresses driver health impacts by Sept. 30.

Although FMCSA is required to make a final rule effective on Sept. 30, there was no court mandate on a compliance date, according to Betty Weiland, editorial manager-- transportation for compliance service provider J.J. Keller & Associates.

“The amount [of time between the effective and compliance dates] will vary depending on the type of rule and how complex it is,” Weiland told Fleet Owner. “Back in 2003, the new hours-of-service final rule was published on April 28, effective June 27, and the compliance date wasn’t until Jan. 4, 2004. In that case, FMCSA gave about six months.”

An FMCSA spokesperson was contacted but wouldn’t comment on a publishing date for the HOS rulemaking.

About the Author

Terrence Nguyen

Sponsored Recommendations

Tackling the Tech Shortage: Lessons in Recruiting Talent and Reducing Turnover

Discover innovative strategies for recruiting and retaining tech talent in the trucking industry at our April 16th webinar, where experts will share insights on competitive pay...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!