Everything Drivers Should Know About The New HOS Rules

For a while now, drivers have been interested in seeing changes to the hours-of-service (HOS) rules in place. While these rules are used for the driver and others' safety and security on the road, they are not always the most accommodating for some drivers. In many different cases, they can seem counterproductive when applied to a driver's preferred schedule. After hearing these concerns, certain modifications have been made to these rules to offer drivers more freedom on the road. In this post, we will cover everything that you need to know about these changes. 

Adverse Driving Conditions Extensions 

Adverse road conditions do offer specific extensions for drive time. Initially, the rule put the focus on time extensions with limited information available to the driver. This new development provides support for drivers that meet adverse conditions early on in the driving shift. Rather than offering a hard stop on some qualifiers, this policy's change now provides more support for drivers who are merely hit with poor luck during their workday. 

In the new variation, drivers are offered support for up to two additional hours. This means that, if they run into adverse conditions, they can extend the general driving window regardless of how long they have been on the road. It offers more support for drivers that are just starting their day and run into a road that has been shut down due to problematic weather conditions like snow or ice. Previously, these events could slow a driver's day unless specific circumstances were met. In the new version, drivers can make their own assessment and act accordingly. 

Increased Accommodations For Short-Hauls 

Short-hauls are known for their lack of tracking requirements. Initially, short-hauls were often considered to be the exception to some of the more complex trucking rules and offered respite from limitations like ELDs, RODs, and the mandatory 30-minute break policies in place. While this has been a benefit, many drivers felt like the details surrounding what constitutes a short-haul exception were a little too strict. The changes to this rule should help. 

In the new version of short-haul exceptions, drivers are allowed a wider drive radius to accommodate their travels. The original version, which limited drivers to a 100-mile radius (tracked as air miles), has been expanded by 50% to allow up to 150 miles instead. In addition to this, short-hauls now accommodate a larger maximum duty period. Previously, drivers were limited to twelve on-duty hours. The new expansions allow for up to fourteen hours, which can offer support for more localized driving efforts around the country. 

30-Minute Break Changes 

Breaks are chosen and mandated to help drivers to stay sharp while they are on the road. The 30-minute break rule was employed to help drivers decompress during long stints on the road to help them stay awake and aware. Previously, the rule focused on ensuring drivers took a 30-minute break after eight hours of continuous-time spent driving. To satisfy the rule, drivers were forced to spend time off-duty for the break to fulfill the requirement. Within this rule, drivers must embrace thirty minutes of consecutive time and cannot break it up over smaller segments. 

With the new change to the 30-minute break rule, drivers can satisfy this requirement more quickly. Instead of asking drivers to take a 30-minute off-duty break, the new rule allows for the driver to be on-duty as long as the individual is not driving. This rule is a more comfortable transition for many drivers. This change does not change the 8-hour section of the rule, which is still dependent on overall drive time and does not offer any changes because the drive time does not need to be consecutive. 

Sleeper Berth Changes 

To ensure that drivers are taking enough time to rest throughout overall drive time, rules surrounding the sleeper berth have been put in place. Initially, drivers were required to spend at least eight hours in the sleeper berth during a large drive window. This rule placed a particular strain on drivers who did not have any interest in sleeping for a full 8-hour period. More leniency has been placed surrounding the sleeper berth ruling to support rest without forcing extensive sleeper berth time to accommodate this. 

With the new change, drivers only need to satisfy a period of seven hours within the sleeper birth. While this is a welcomed change, it does come with an additional caveat that can influence how it is used. The new ruling allows for a minimum period of seven hours in the sleeper berth if it is paired with a minimum period of two hours off-duty. Now, drivers have more support to spend their off-duty time in a manner of their choosing, as long as a healthy sleep schedule is being supported.  

To meet the new qualifications for this change, drivers must also spend a minimum of ten hours off-duty to meet the new standard. Between time spent in the sleeper berth and off-duty time, drives must complete at least ten hours, with neither of these times going against the 14-hour driving window in place. 

Nobody knows trucking quite like the people who drive for a living, which is why it is so nice to see their wishes being accommodated. Even though the rules are designed to offer support and guidance to keep drivers at their best, there will always be room for feedback and improvement. With these new allowances, drivers should have more control over their time spent on and off-duty every time they hit the road. In the future, more exceptions will likely be made to support drivers on their journeys while they spend time traveling out on the open road. Be sure to check out Vantage Truck Parking for all of your truck parking needs!