Under a 2009 court settlement that led to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed driver hours of service rule changes, FMCSA is obligated to issue a final rule by July 26.
In the meantime, drivers are encouraged to comment on the proposal by end of day Feb. 28 to influence the final outcome.
Among changes that continue to be debated in the proposed rule is a potential reduction in daily cumulative driving hours to 10 from 11 and proposed restart changes. Generally, however, the entire proposed rule is up for review, and drivers can make their voices heard in several ways.
For a quick-glance chart of proposed changes and the complete details of FMCSA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, visit http://fmcsa.dot.gov/HOS, and read Overdrive and Truckers News’ stories on the release of NPRM details.
The NPRM is also published on http://regulations.gov under document ID FMCSA-2004-19608-2095. Be sure to reference the ID number when faxing comments to (202) 493-2251 or mailing comments to:
Docket Management Facility (M-30)
U.S. Department of Transportation
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001
To submit a comment online, visit this page on the regulatory docket website.
To help craft your comments, take part with Truckers for a Cause, former FMCSA administrator John Hill and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association regulatory affairs specialist Joe Rajkovacz in a Jan. 22 conference call discussing the “Do’s and Don’t of submitting comments to the FMCSA.” The call is scheduled for noon Central Standard Time. To participate, dial (712) 432-5015 and enter access code 350926# when prompted. The call will be recorded and available later through meeting archives at www.truckersforacause.com.
