The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) reminds us the hours of service rule for commercial drivers also affects retailers. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has implemented the first major change to the hours of service rules (HOS) since 1939. The new rules took effect on January 4, 2004. The new rules allow drivers to drive eleven (11) hours, an increase from the previous ten (10) hour allowance. Drivers are also now required to take ten (10) hours off after their driving shift, an increase from the previous standard of eight (8) hours off-duty. The new rule keeps a provision prohibiting drivers from being on duty for sixty (60) hours in a seven consecutive day period or seventy (70) hours in an eight consecutive day period. The on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.
This new rule applies to commercial vehicle drivers in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more and operating vehicles transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring vehicle placards. Those drivers operating within a 100-air mile radius of the driver's normal work location and who return to that location and are released from duty
within 12 hours, will keep time cards as allowed under the previous rules. The agricultural exemption will still be in effect in those states that allow it.
For more details on this rule visit ARA's homepage at www.agprofessional.com