Hours of Service

July 18th, 2013

We are now into the 2^nd week since the new HOS rules took effect.  One of the provisions that probably have at least a few people scratching their heads is the 34 restart.   This explanation might help you understand it better:

1. A driver may only take one restart during any seven day window. 
2. Don’t limit the seven day period to the traditional calendar week.  The 34 hours off duty could occur during any consecutive two day period.
3. Taking the restart is not mandatory.  It may be to the advantage to hold off declaring your restart to later in the week.
4. In order to qualify for a 34 hour restart, it must include two periods of 1-5 AM off duty during consecutive days during a consecutive 34 hour period.
5. The 34 hours must be consecutive hours in off duty, sleeper berth, or a combination of both.
6. When the driver determines that he/she is going to declare a 34 hour restart, flag the restart time and write “34 Hour Restart” in the remarks block of the log sheet.  This may be done up to seven days after the first 34 hour off duty period
7. If the driver did not get a restart, remember that he/she may gain hours that are dropped off from 8 days prior.

The other provision that might need some clarification is the 30 minute break.  This explanation might help:

1. This break must be taken if you work eight hours or more. 
2. You may not drive after eight hours after coming on duty unless you take this break. 
3. It can be taken any time before the eight hours.  However, it may be wise not to take it too soon.  Otherwise you may end up having to take another 30 minute break to complete a 14 hour day. 
4. Ideally, if you expect to have a 14 hour day, you should consider taking the break sometime between the 6^th and 8^th hour.
5. The 30 minutes can only qualify as a 30 minute break if you are free to pursue your own interest.  You may not use the time spent loading or unloading product.
6. The 30 minutes can be spent in the driver’s seat of the tractor, the tractor’s sleeper berth, the customer’s break area, a roadside rest, a truck stop plaza, a restaurant, or any combination of these places.
7. The 30 minute period must be logged as “Off Duty”, “Sleeper Berth”, or a combination of the two.  Make sure that you log the location of this event, since it is a change of duty status.
8. This provision effectively reduces your maximum productivity from 14 hours to 13½ hours.
9. The only affect that the new rule has on the 11 hour rule is that since you must take a 30 minute break you cannot drive 11 consecutive hours.

While I’m on my HOS soap box, please turn your logs in to your terminal within 7 days following the event so that your respective manager can do his/her pre-audit process and then get them to corporate so that I can begin the formal log audit.