Dec. 28, 2011 | The new rule announced last week by the Dept. of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers.

The new HOS final rule reduces by 12 hours (from 82 to 70) the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week.

In a press release issued immediately following the DOT announcement, General President Hoffa said: "We said all along that an hours of service rule has to protect highway safety and our truck drivers' health. We are reviewing the new rule, and in the coming wells we will meet and discuss it with our allies and, if necessary, determine our next course of action."

The rule requires drivers take a break of at least 30 minutes after driving 8 hours, and can take the 30-minute break whenever they need rest during the 8-hour period. The rest requirement is part of the rule's 34-hour restart, a provision that allows drivers to use the restart provision only once during the 7-day period. The final rule retains the current 11 hour-daily driving limit.

FMCSA officials said tat commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with the HOS final rule by July 1, 2013.

View the rule provisions and compliance information at the FMCSA's website here.