The FMCSA has granted an exemption of its 30-minute hours-of-service break requirement to the U.S. Department of Energy for the department’s contract motor carriers transporting security-sensitive radioactive materials.
The regulatory agency said these carriers and drivers will be treated the same as those transporting explosives. The exempted drivers will be allowed to use 30 minutes or more of on-duty “attendance time” to meet the HOS rest break requirements providing they do not perform any other work during the break.
The Department of Energy estimated 30 units and 53 drivers would currently be eligible for the exemption. The exemption will be effective until June 30, 2017.