FMCSA publishes hours of service interim final rule

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has now officially published the Interim Final Rule (IFR), effective Dec. 27, 2007, to allow commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers up to 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour, non-extendable window from the start of the workday, following 10 consecutive hours off duty (11-hour limit). This interim rule also allows motor carriers and drivers to restart calculations of the weekly on-duty time limits after the driver has at least 34 consecutive hours off duty (34-hour restart). In other words, the existing hours of service (HOS) rules remain in effect until further notice.

The IFR is necessary to prevent disruption to enforcement and compliance with the HOS rules when the current stay expires, as well as possible effects on the timely delivery of essential goods and services. This IFR ensures that a familiar and uniform set of national rules governs motor carrier transportation, while FMCSA continues to gather public comment on all aspects of the IFR, conducts peer review of its analysis, and considers an appropriate final rule to address the issues identified by the Court. FMCSA is committed to issuing a final rule in 2008.

DATES: This IFR is effective Dec. 27, 2007. Comments must be received on or before Feb. 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted identified by Federal Docket Management System Number FMCSA-2004-19608 by the following method:

• Website: www.regulations.gov