Another operator seeks individual exemption from certain HOS regs

Updated Dec 1, 2022

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022:

Another driver requests exemption from parts of HOS regs

For the third time this year, a truck operator is seeking an exemption from certain provisions in the hours-of-service regulations. Owner-operator Lee Schmitt requested and was later denied an exemption from four provisions of the regs, and operator Ronnie Brown III, whose petition is still pending, requested an exemption from the HOS regs and the ELD rule.

Wayne Moore Jr. is the latest individual to petition FMCSA for an exemption from four provisions of the hours-of-service regulations.

Moore's request is similar to Schmitt's -- he's requesting a five-year exemption from the 10-hour off-duty rule, the 14-hour driving window, the 30-minute break requirement, and the 70-hours-in-eight-days limit. Of note, he is not asking to drive more than 11 hours in an on-duty period.

FMCSA’s notice states that Moore has been a commercial driver for more than 25 years and currently works for a large transportation company in Indiana. The notice adds that Moore “states that he would like the ability to split off-duty time into periods that are more conducive to proper rest and sleep without having to comply with the HOS regulations.”

FMCSA will accept comment on Moore’s request for 30 days beginning Thursday, Dec. 1. Comments can be made here through Jan. 3.

[Related: HOS, blue lights incompatible with good sleep: Here's how to fight back]

Inmate seeks regs relief from driver training rules

Robert Towle, an inmate in the New Hampshire State Prison, is requesting an exemption from two provisions of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. The New Hampshire Department of Corrections operates a special school district within the prison walls, Granite State High School, that offers a CDL training class.

Towle is requesting an exemption from the ELDT requirement that a training provider use instructors who meet the definition of “theory instructor,” and from the requirement that an individual who applies for the first time for a Class A or B CDL, or who upgrades to a Class A or B CDL, must complete training from a provider listed on the Training Provider Registry.

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FMCSA’s notice says Towle stated that the requested exemptions would allow eligible students at Granite State High School to receive the requisite theory instruction in order to obtain their Commercial Learner’s Permit as a step towards job-readiness as part of their community re-entry plan.

FMCSA will accept public comments on the request for 30 days beginning Dec. 1. Comments can be made here through Jan. 3.

Ship.Cars implements AI inspection technology for car-haul customers

Ship.Cars, a provider of software solutions for car-hauling companies profiled just this month in Overdrive, partnered with the Monk AI company to deliver so-called "AI inspection reports" functionality to operators using the Ship.Cars Electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) app. The functionality, whose development was mentioned in the report earlier in the month, is now fully available. With the integration, the ePOD app enables drivers to extract vehicle damages visible on their inspection photos in a list view, along with cropped photos focusing on the damages individually.

Said Eftim Eftimov, President of Ship.Cars, “This AI inspection feature is a game-changer in our industry and acts as a helping hand for carriers to list vehicle damages.”

AI-assisted/guided vehicle inspection may help streamline pick-up and delivery processes, supporting carriers in their day-to-day tasks by accelerating inspection time, the company said. Inspections assisted by AI could help improve consistency and standardize processes throughout the proper country and among operators.

Among new features of the ePOD app include ability to:

  • Reduce time spent manually entering damage information
  • Review the findings of vehicle damages and remove or add to the list
  • Generate optional AI damage reports quickly
  • Complete AI inspection with cropped photos of the damage for records
  • List damage type codes, vehicle part codes, location of damage, and timestamps with time zone list on each cropped image
  • Build a condition report and compares it with previous records to detect new damages. 

DAT partners with TMS provider Turvo

Transportation management system provider Turvo and DAT Freight & Analytics formally announced this week a strategic partnership to integrate the DAT load board into the Turvo TMS. With the partnership, Turvo customers now have access to the DAT load board directly from their Turvo dashboard.

"Rather than having to manage multiple tabs, windows, and logins," said Jayson Peterson, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Turvo, "the entire process can be booked and monitored through one screen, improving overall efficiency, visibility, and ease of use."

"This year our load board network will host more than 535 million load and truck posts," said Mike Weaver, DAT Vice President of Sales. "This integration partnership will help customers" managed loads "faster and more efficiently. We're excited to help DAT and Turvo users save time, money, and extra steps in their workflow."

[Related: Transportation Management System platforms: Not just for large fleets]