FMCSA issues final rule on trucker hours of service

Nov 26, 2008

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule on truck driver hours of service retains limits that have been struck down twice in federal appeals court.

The final rule (.pdf file), published in the Nov. 19 Federal Register, allows drivers to spend 11 hours behind the wheel each day – an increase from the former limit of 10 hours – and to reset their weekly on-duty clocks after 34 consecutive hours of rest.

FMCSA Administrator John Hill said the final rule is based on exhaustive scientific review by FMCSA and is designed to ensure truck drivers get adequate rest to safely perform operations and have a good quality of life. The agency extended a public comment period on an interim final rule last year at the request of the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Public Citizen, the Truck Safety Coalition and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The groups said the new rule would increase the chances of driver fatigue, putting motorists at risk.

On Nov. 18, Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook released a statement saying the final rule "ignores mountains of safety research." The Washington-based American Trucking Associations, meanwhile, supports the rule, and said there was "no compelling safety reason" to eliminate the provisions. In March, ATA filed comments in support of the provisions and urged FMCSA to reconsider sleeper berth rules based on new research showing value to drivers and the trucking industry. More than 540 organizations and individuals commented on the issue.