Change may be coming. So what’s new?
More than 3.5 million truck drivers and the 700,000 carriers registered with the Department of Transportation may see imminent changes to our nation’s trucking regulations.
Regulation change is difficult to absorb for any industry, and the trucking industry is no exception. This is mainly the result of a complex subset of diverse industries, including trucked, less-than-truckload and small parcel, to name a few. And as they generate a combined $700 billion in revenues, any regulation change that impacts operations is certain to generate friction among a few, if not many, drivers and logistics companies.
But to avoid disruptions, non-compliance is not an option. And with that in mind, as we close out 2019 and head into 2020, below is a roundup of some of the major regulations changes that will be taking place (or at least are under consideration).
Hours of Service
After more than two years of regulatory tweaks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking to change drivers’ hours of service (HOS) rules, which would apply to nearly every truck driver in the United States.
The changes are being proposed in several areas:
- Flexibility in the 30-minute rest break after eight hours of driving
- Exceptions for split-sleeper berths
- Allowing a 30-minute off duty break during a 14-hour shift
- Bad weather flexibility
- Exceptions for short haulers
This poses a substantial impact to the entire industry, whose drivers are paid by the mile, not hour. And for whom any reductions in driving time threatens their income.
Licensing
The FMCSA is also proposing changes to the licensing process for those looking to enter the trucking industry, allowing states more flexibility to conduct testing for those seeking a commercial driver’s license. According to the FMCSA, the change would reduce the barriers to entry for prospective drivers without compromising safety.
