FMCSA: Impact of Changes in Hours of Service Regulations

The Federal Motor Safety Administration has changed the Hours of Service Regulation (HOS) to include two new provisions that limit drivers operating time. The first provision states that a driver must take a mandatory 30 minute break within the first 8 hours of being on duty. This new regulation has not seemed to have any negative impacts on carriers ability to perform, as it is most likely that drivers do stop during that period for food or to relief themselves. The second addition to HOS addresses the 34 hour reset. This has been changed so that a driver can only enact the 34 hour reset once per week after a continuous 168 hours from the last restart, and must contain 2 overnight rest periods from 1am to 5am within.

Although the first regulation has had minimal impact on drivers and their shippers in general, it is the second provision regarding the 34 hour reset that will impact the trucking industry and ultimately shippers still looking for a solution to an impending driver shortage. With the new regulations in place, and the trucking shortage in the horizon, it is inevitable that we will see increased pressure on capacity leading to an increase in shipping rates overall.

According to Noel Perry of FTR & Associates who recently reported to Truck News the new HOS rules have the potential to reduce industry productivity by 15%. Perry also stated the remainder of 2013 could bring pressure on capacity comparable to 2004, when rates spiked and remained high for more than a full year returning to lower levels. FTR & Associates advises shippers to prepare for the potential of increased freight rates.

Menzies, James. (July 2013). New Us Regulations Could Leave Industry Short 1 Million Drivers by 2016: FTR Associates. Truck News. Retrieved from http://www.trucknews.com/news/new-us-regulations-could-leave-industry-short-a-million-drivers-by-2016-ftr/1002464481/