Change Management

Change Management Memo

Reufa Kajdic

HRM 310

August 16, 2015

Jim Foote

Change Management Memo

MEMORANDUM

TO:                All Huffman Trucking Drivers

FROM:        Reufa Kajdic,  Safety and Regulations Supervisor

DATE:                August 16, 2015

SUBJECT:         Change of Hours of Service and Reset Rule

As many of you have heard, there has been a change in the hours of service (HOS) and also the 34-hour reset rule.  These rules have been switched back and forth for so many years and just like others, there is a lot of confusion as to what is the current rule on the restarts or the hours of service. This memo will explain the new rules and the effective dates of these changes.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT), has suspended the driving hours of service rules and regulations that were passed in 2011, (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2015). These new hours of service and the 34 hour reset rule will be effective December 17, 2014 at 12:01am (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2015).

Old Rule on HOS

        The old hours of service did not have the 60-70 hour limit, or the 30-minute break in an 8-hour of driving. The drivers only have 10 hours to driver in a day, and no more than 82 hours in a week.

Old Rule on 34-hour Reset Rule

The old rule on 34-hour reset rule was that the 34 hour reset rule had to have two consecutive periods from 1:00am to 5:00am in the home terminal. The time that the driver is supposed to be in bed between 1:00am and 5:00am are the times when there is not a lot of traffic on the roads. It would only be appropriate to move these hours to a different time.

New Rule on HOS

        Drivers have an 11-hour driving rule, in those 11 hours they must have a 30-minute break. With this new rule it will reduce the fatigue that is caused by the long hours of driving. Having this extra hour in a workday, it gives the drivers the elasticity when they are getting close to turning down for the day. This way the drivers will have time to find parking and whatever they need to before closing their workday.

New Rule on 34-hour Reset Rule

        Drivers will be allowed to take at least 34 hours of consecutive period of reset anywhere without having to be in the home terminal. This reset is without any limitations. The drivers as of December 17, 2014 12:01am are approved to return to the previous use of the restart periods.

This rule affects every motor carrier, commercial drivers and anyone who drivers with a DOT number or any vehicle that is over 26,001 pounds. Therefore, drivers please make sure you updated your folders in your trucks and put this memo in there for easy reference.