A new bill has been introduced in Congress which would alter the way that Hours of Service rules work for truck drivers. It would do away with the mandatory 30-minute rest break and give drivers a ‘pause button’ which would allow them to put a hold on their 14-hour clock for up to three hours.
Introduced by Rep. Brian Babin, H.R. 5417 is named the Responsible and Effective Standards for Truckers (REST) Act. A press release put out by Babin claims that it would “modernize hours of service regulations for truck drivers.”
The REST Act would allow drivers to take one rest break per 14-hour shift without having that break cut in to their on-duty time. That break can last up to three hours, but must be taken all at once, not split up into multiple breaks. Drivers would still be allowed to take as many breaks as they like, but the ‘pause’ will only work for one break per 14-hour shift.
Once their 14 hours (plus break) are over, drivers still need to log 10 consecutive hours off-duty before they can begin a new shift.
The bill has the support of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, who thanked Babin for introducing the legislation in a statement made by Todd Spencer, acting President and CEO of OOIDA.
“Truck drivers’ schedules are at the mercy of shippers, receivers, weather, congestion, and other obstacles, to operate safely,” said Spencer. “We are in a situation where we have never had more regulations and greater enforcement and compliance with those regulations. Yet, crash numbers are going in the wrong direction, it’s time for a new approach.”
Not everyone supports the bill of course. A spokesman for the American Trucking Association said that while the association supports improving hours-of-service regulations, “we don’t believe that there is sufficient data at this time to support the types of changes proposed by the REST Act.”
Source: gobytrucknews, babin, gobytrucknews, truckinginfo, overdrive, ttnews
Shogun says
Well if the ATA opposes it, the collective group of non driving morons, then it sounds like a step in the right direction. Watch this thread turn into a complaint about ELOGS 3…2…1.
Ben says
I agree with you. The new FMCSA director, and politicians did something after listening to drivers quickly. I didn’t think it would happen this fast. I average 4-5 hours to unload/re-load. This will help me get farther down the road on those days.
Trucker's Wife says
@Shogun: thumbs upping your comment (When will this site modernize and install thumbs up and thumbs down buttons for the comments section? LOL)
Yogi says
Take a remedial reading course !!!
Read it for what it actually is … 3 hours that inefficient shippers and receivers can use use to screw you over. 3 hours you get to sit at their docks, no food, no crapper, no sleep, and WITHOUT GETTING PAID !!!
Larry Cooper says
Yea BUDDY I know you’re right
RT says
Yeah u are right…the ata needs to take a prozac and kick back..
Samuel Gallezzo says
And finally someone speaks the truth.
Shogun says
Well, if you can take a 3 hour nap and make your delivery that you would normally miss due to your 14 running out,wouldn’t you stand to make more money by getting to your next load a little faster?
Shogun says
Unless you can stop your 14 for whatever reasons, shippers traffic etc and still make your stop because your 14 didn’t run out, then it helps you.
Barney says
Hang on- you can use the 3hr break to your advantage and not use it when getting screwd at shipper/receiver.
Trust me, when I run in Canada I’m less tired and not running to beat the clock.
Also, if your company is charging detention like they should be ( rate on that still too low typically I think) then they don’t want you there too long- have you not noticed an improvement since detention time became commonplace?- I have.
You can use this 3hr pause to your advantage
Deboah says
You are right ! It is wrong the 3 hours should not be conservative but cumulative alowwing stops for traffic pattern adjustment , real meals, maybe a power nap. But not force them into trying unnatural sleep rest- your body knows when it’s fatigued not an ELD. Then might as well put Ambien on the docket fall asleep fast last 3-4 hours. As a Dr. now team driving with my husband teams should be able to switch anytime. Not forced 11 hr then change. When exhausted sitting in Chicago traffic let one take a breath and other take over for a while decreasing fatigue.
I thought Martinez was smarter. And when on PC the ELD should not be tracking you does FMCSA where ankle brackets and GPS monitoring home? Punishing O/O , small Co data speaks for itself since ELD loss of experienced drivers, lax the law for hiring OIG
Data sites Mega Carriers as highest accident and violation records.
Just remember all those Dr’s hired for these studi s am evrigged to promote outcomes just like drug testing they get paid thousands per study good bad indifferent ! Think of all the money the government gave to Companies for research n development of the ELD!!!
Do you really think FMCSA is going to back down saying they really don’t make it safer Data shows increase risks, decrease take home pay NOW !!!! Think of this how much was each of those lives worth that were killed by automated driving cars, trucks!!
Can’t reason a situation killed pedestrians someone’s family member. That’s a fight you should take on!!! These are not train tracks or mono rails. This is electronic driven faulty equipment.
Think if it like your ABS stays on guess “ you are pulled out of service how about flat tire. I can go on but think practically of the points you can make to Congress be valid no wining before it’s in stone in the “ white paper”
Rodney says
Nice work and said like it should be said also might put a little perspective on it. Thank you
jh says
so true
Deboah says
It’s illegal call OSHA to not have bathroom facilities when servicing
Patrons. Pee in an orgage juice bottle leave it on the entry when you leave! I’m a woman they don’t want u using their lot
BillM says
Yep! That’s right, it only gives advantage to the wrong people. You can spend that pause time to get more time driving, but then you’re back to “square one” when you have to take 10 hours off. This would basically only put a driver into the next window of predicament, meaning that it would only extend the issue to the next day, and then to next, etc.
Chance says
Yogi
Tells the truth
every one els doesn’t seem to have a clue’
Have a nice 17hr day for your 8hr pay check.
Rubber Band Man says
EGG ZACTLTY FREE TIME THE DRIVER GIVES AWAY.
C says
I actually like elogs. Keeps dispatchers from working the shit out of drivers
Robert says
ATA opposes it because it’s made up of the mega carriers. If a 3 hour exception was put in place, it would hurt their bottom line. Detention at shippers/receivers would go away. I applaud the bill and hope it’s passed. The carriers need to revamp their detention. I have a solution. Fine the shippers/receivers heavy for not getting truck in and out in 2 hours.
Laz says
who ever thought the days dispatch expected you to do 30+hrs non-stop were gone ?
Bob says
So now instead of a 14 hour work day with a 30 minute break, some slave driving companies will expect a total 17 hour day.
Trucker's Wife says
Exactly, that’s what I was thinking too!
Robert Allard says
Yes you are right and there is plenty of shady company out there that will force driver to put and use that 3 hours off while waiting to be loaded in the shipper yard even if you get loaded at say 11 oclock night time and they will force you to drive night time.
William says
Tell Dispatch to kiss your butt. Drivers need to take a personal stand at some point.
Larry Baldwin says
Amen brother..and yes we doing what we do..would end up using the pause for work instead of rest
Barney says
Bingo
Jeff says
William you are exactly right and I already have several times
Mind Games says
I don’t drive overnight they can do me a favor and fire me once I get back to the yard it’s not like they stopped making lawyers.
In the handbook there is a rule that gives you power when it comes to a situation like this
George K says
Nobody can force you to drive overnight!!! You are the boss at the wheel! If they force you you can report them to DOT or find another trucking company!!
Rick says
Y shld u have to wry about finding another job?? R you really ok with that? Organize!!! Then theres no need to have to start all over.
George K says
Its not a 17 hour day…if youre stuck at a shipper 3 hours you can log it in sleeper berth without your 14 hour clock ticking away! The 14 hours ticks away presently! The bill is a step in the right direction! The hos are unsustainable with the elog!2+2=4!
Brad says
Now if they would allow a split sleeper berth……
TomJoe says
At the same time, those shippers can escape not paying the layover claiming that driver hours did not run out. So all in all the benefit is only for those shippers. Making it drivers work longer. Anytime you are not in sleeper berth you are working according to the law. So there is no way you going to sleep when your body is hot working/driving hard by the time you arrive at your shipper/receiver. Look like a shipper bribed bill to save layover bill and reduce transportation cost originated due to the recent rise in transportation cost by eld, hos etc.
Rick says
Wow. Every comment on here or issue people have can ALL be resolved by Organizing. 🤔 Wake up folks. Y do corporations despise the Union?? Bcz it levels the playing field. Not to mention shares the wealth!! Ya feel me?
DWD says
Yeah, I’m tired of working for the evil trucking companies. I want to answer to an evil union boss.
Tony Muhammad says
Right!
Rossco says
What they need to do is let us split sleep berth and her n we book off not going against your 14 hrs.
dave bean says
exactly , how about a 3-7 split bunk?
John says
3/7 split sounds good
George K says
Yes thats next! I dont sleep 10 hours anyway!! Sleeper should be flexible…minimum 8 hours and maximum 10 hours!! If you want to drive after 8 hours in sleeper it should be your choice! And yes you shoyld be able to split!
RT says
It will help you to get unloaded and to a parking spot somewhere without running out of hrs…
Brad says
Unless it’s already after 5 pm, anywhere parking is available, there won’t be any parking available!!!!
Barney says
Exactly!!
Steve Hughart says
You got that Wright
John says
Either way it doesn’t really help even after your 17 hours you still need 10 hours off duty.its a lose lose situation
Barney says
Who gives a s*** what their expectations are- your driving the truck.
I tell them in Canada (2hr) it’s for me, and my discretion, not anyone else
You have to stand up for yourself or you get tromped
Brad. says
Lol you guys crack me up
Rick says
Y is that? Curious.
Jeff says
That’s not going to happen cause I won’t use it when I’m out of hrs oh well tough shit they run my hrs too close now just like right now and that will just delay you getting home or whatever three more hours I know some of these companies wanted these elogs soAnd all stuff that HOS and right back in their face and I’ve already done it quite a few times and they wanted it so deal with it
Robert says
Nope. The 3 must be taken off duty and all at once. It is a step in the right direction to address slow receivers like Kroger and C&S taking 6 hours to unload and kicking you out because they have no O/N parking. They don’t care if you are out of hours. Oh, throw Walmart and Target in there too. No parking but 4 hours to get unloaded.
Robert says
Of course the ATA would not support it. The big carriers would possibly lose big detention fines they hit shippers and receivers with. I support the changes because the 30 minute break is a pain in the backside sometimes especially at night when rest areas and truck stops are full. Forcing fuel island breaks which creates it’s own problem. In addition the 14 hour clock has no flex in it currently. I’ve had a log violation because dispatch wanted me to go get another load and it ended up being in a bad area I was picking up in plus there were no truck stop close to the shipper.
Cisco says
Hey buddy , I know what you mean it happens to me too…I think the best way to go is 14 hours a day “”do anything you want with it””” not 34 recap not 70 hours rules like in a regular job……. Hey is my opinion
RT says
They are letting u stop the clock to get unloaded or loaded..no more 30 minute break crap..everything else stays the same..
Daniel Reader says
Yep, i agree
scott brazinsky says
You had a log violation because of you,not dispatch.Bad area,no truckstop,excuses left n right.You are captain of your ship,that ones on you.
Mind Games says
No its actually on both. With an elog they know how many hours you have left as well. Ignorance by dispatchers is no excuse anymore.
dan says
One could always drag out the strap lever bar and walk around the truck all night on guard duty.
Unless you have been with the company for many years, esp with a big company, you have no idea what kind of area you are getting into.
Further, I have actually sag in a dock for better than ten hours while the idiots played musical pallets.
The load was STILL wrong at the delivery side, which cost me another 5 hours of figuring out what to do with the rejected freight.
I suppose that was my fault, too?
Definitely my fault for getting into this business, that’s for damn sure.
Hector A Garcia says
Finally some things are changing!!
Another hour or two would have been nice, added to our 11 hours of driving with those 3 hours of break
Brad says
If you didn’t have the time you should not have agreed to do the load. It’s on you
Rick says
Just a word of discretion. If u cannot actually reply with a legitimate rebuttle, just keep quiet. Being a truck driver(im assuming) u know better. Or at least u should.
02 pete says
So that means no more 30 after 8 hours. Now we are forced to take 3 hours off.?? All at once.?? What if I want to drive 11 straight.? Man I miss paper logs, where I can drive as many miles as I want, safely of course and take a nap or even go to sleep whenever I want. Call it cheating or whatever but I manage my time where I don’t sit in traffic or any kind of rush hour and still be on time for my appt.
Larry Baldwin says
Too true..never been said better..back to paper and leave us be
Jeff Gray says
You’re not forced to take the two to three hours.It’s an option and gets rid of the mandatory 30 minute break. This will allow you to take a break without counting the clock down. Scenario: Pre-trip,drive 6 hours,two hour break on line two or one(clock is stopped),drive 5 hours, eight hours on line two(sleeper). Vehicle inspection,drive 5 hours, two hour break etc. etc. Sounds better than the current rule.
George K says
Yes paper logs were the best!! You managed your own time! The problem was and is the hos!! Drivers cheated to get the job done!If the receiver closed at 17 pm and I had to ” cheat” to get there b4 he closed, then yes I d rather unload there b4 17 pm to not have to wait until the next morning!! It s all about being productive and efficient!Isnt that what America is all about? They have turned it into a socialist inefficient bureaucracy with all these dumb rules!
RockyD says
Yet another change of proposal from a person that more then likely has never been in a truck. If its coming out of DC I seriously doubt that any professionals of the industry was referenced before the bill was written and introduced. Election time is coming and all those up for re-election are so scared of loosing their seat they will throw anything out to make claim they made a difference while they were in office
David says
Hey, maybe you don’t know this but the rep that is putting this through was fighting for to oppose the elds even before this rule went into effect. Do some research before ya start making claims
Jeff says
David the ELDs are a mandate from the FMCSA and to my knowledge it’s not a law it never went through Congress and it’s only a Mandate Oh and some states are all ready and have bills to oppose writing citations for the ELD mandate
Brad says
You age wrong Rocky. This reg will put the time management back in the drivers hands. Where it belongs.
J says
If you have a problem with a company forcing you to work long hours, you need to learn the word “NO”. This is just screwing up the rest of us and unnecessarily adding 30mins to our day for no good reason. The 3hr break idea is a good one but will probably be rarely used.
Just another example of how the ATA obviously isn’t concerned with drivers’ needs.
M. Page says
It’s sounds good, but it cause a lot of problems, to start with my company paid me for my 30 minutes break I lose more than 50 dollars a week. But the hold for up to 3 hours sounds good. I will stand be hind the bill.
A.J. Bustamante III says
Crash numbers are up because there are more trucks on the road with fewer experienced drivers. Drivers are too dependent on safety devices which warn you of following distance and lane departure. These devices lead to complacency. Drivers are more distracted than ever with electronics and social media. How many times have you passed a truck with 3 or more devices stuck to the windshield? Lastly, many drivers are not sleeping enough during their 10 hour breaks. People who do not drive a truck fail to grasp just how much a driver needs to accomplish in 10 hours, and get some sleep. Parking is another issue. There simply isn’t enough. All that being said, sadly I don’t know how it can be fixed. I’m a 20 year driver. I’ve driven local, long haul, and oilfield. My experience driving for a huge retail chain, yes that one, I believe made me a less observant driver with all the safety devices in the vehicle. I understand the need for change, but what can you do without infringing on a driver’s basic rights? If someone figures it out they deserve a medal.
Battery says
Fatigue tests….. no hos! Problem solved, where’s my fn medal?
Trey says
Here’s one you have 11hrs you can drive in a day, no 14.
Keith A Hille says
What would really help is if they would give us help on off duty driving. Most places don’t have no where to park an once you start your sleeper time an you have to go drop you run out hours to make drop. You can find yourself sitting 10 min from place an can’t move.
jeff says
on break you can go eat that time is yours not allowing you to drive somewhere is violating your rights
Donald Berry says
More free time for shippers to hold drivers…It’s nice that you can once again take a midday nap…But in the long run…Its nust a 17 hour day with even less pay.
Randall Flagg says
I thought the Driver had the authority of using the pause button and no one else. That should be an option held tightly in the clutches of the driver. This pause should serve only one entity and that is the driver alone. It will not be interpreted as a tool that carriers or shippers could manipulate for their advantage.
Brad says
I AGREE.
It will be up to the drivers to own and protect the option.
Rick says
Dont compromise, ORGANIZE!!!Problem solved
George K says
Yes I d rather stop my clock before entering Los Angeles traffic for 3 hours and then start driving without it effecting my 14 hour clock! Wake up drivers! This is good news!
Miguel R Castilla says
Thank you. Finally somebody understands the idea, while others will always complain and never be happy with anything.
Doug says
You actually think the pause button is going to work while your in stop and go traffic highly doubt it
Brad says
Not proper use of the option. Use it to avoid wasting your time in Chicago rush hour traffic. Have a meal or a shower or go for a workout without loosing money making hours.
Vania Kouveli says
Yeap. At least a breath…
Barney says
Wrong view- use it to your advantage!
Trey says
Ok, it PAUSES YOUR 14 NOT EXTEND IT BY 3. THAT’S WHAT THE SLEEPER DID BEFORE IT’S POWER WAS CUT, OR DID YOU FORGET. 5 AND 5 RULE ANYTHING PAST 2 HRS IN SLEEPER ADDED IT TO CLOCK
Rick says
Dont compromise, ORGANIZE!!!Problem solved
Jamie Price says
Which ever the way the wind is blowing that’s the way trucking is going! I wonder what’s next? If we need anything else fixed in trucking, Tell them add another Hour To It! #10-4 and good Bye!
Charles says
The morons in DC don’t make the rules. They depend on the lobbyists from the ATA to write the laws. Congress takes the money from the highest bidder. For the FMCSA, it’s going to be the ATA. ATA pushed for elogs. We got’m. They pushed for HOS rules ie. 14hr/30min DOT break. We got’m. They are pushing for governed trucks ie. 65mph or so. That will be next. You want your in board facing cameras? ATA can make it happen. How ’bout some CPAP masks?
Actually, I like the pause button idea. Very similar to what you could do in 90’s and early 2000’s. You could take a break before rush hour. Then go on. Finish your day and take a full break. No doubt it could set drivers up with dispatchers making you work some weird hours. Then again a pause button gives the driver some options.
Glenn Pearson says
My name is glenn Pearson it is making hard on trucks to make money because broker and shipper are cutting the rate on the lds and the truck driver is take it because they high truck payment and so they have to stay on the road and the warehouse make Truck driver sit four to six to get unload and load and truck driver don’t stick together shut down and so that why dot make hard on truck driver
Mr says
I say ..we should be able to run/work any 14 hrs in a 24 hr span then take 10 break to reset hrs . But I don’t wear a suit and work behind a desk so !
Ryan says
There needs to be a split sleeper berth of 4/6 …3/7 also and the 3 hour pause if you want to use it. I sat at my second pick up yesterday while they took 2 hours to deceide it was cancelled. I ran out of hours and lost money. There was not enough time to find another pick up. You can sit at a shipper or receiver for long periods. Detention is a joke. Most places are $25-$35 after two hours or even three at these billion dollar companies. Especially when you have thousands of dollars for truck and insurance payments. I don’t know how some one can sit in a truck for up to 10 hours especially when there is no parking and you have to find a on or off ramp…etc. Where there is no bathrooms..places to get food… safety. I can not remember the last time I slept more then 6 hours. I actually become more tired sitting in the truck that long. Let me work when I want to after my rest. If I need more rest I will take it.
Donny Delay says
The eld is B’S the only reason they passed the bill to make more money from the trucking companies. And for those people who couldn’t fill out a paper log correctly or at all shouldn’t be driving in first place. That should be on the knowledge test to get your cdl. I hope trump removes the ELD from the companies that don’t want them it should be a choice not mandatory.
Proverbs 16:9 says
They need to also extend the 11 driving hours to 14 and make everything even steven.
David says
No thanks. My driving day is plenty long as it stands. 11 hrs is enough.
Gary says
no no no no
11 hours is way long enough
Doug says
Do like Canada 70/7 and 13 hours driving 16 on duty and 8 hours sleeper
Brad says
YES
George K says
Yes Canada has more common sense laws…you can drive up to 13 hours in a 16 hour window! Americans are way behind on this…With traffic..delays..weather conditions….you never drive the maximum alloted hours!! It s serious cause the mo$@#@rs are picking our pockets with these rules!
jeff says
and they admit it doesnt help prevent crashes .its not about safety its about the polititians trying to make it look like they are earning their high salary
Barney says
Lol
Jon says
The one time use is not good.
I could use 2 or 3 20min breaks in a day.
Everyone wants to compare USA to Canada for firearms, well for once the Northern neighbors have an idea. They require 2 15min breaks in their 16hr day.
Randall Flagg says
When stop for lunch, I want a whole hour. I need time to let my food settle. I may need to take a nap before driving. Its how I roll.
Barf Green says
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Canadian HOS has no requirement for breaks during the 16 hour window, provided you don’t exceed 13 hours of driving. A break of 30 mins or more can be used towards your time off requirements, but it doesn’t stop the 16 hour clock.
That 13 hours of driving is per 24 hours, which if you understand HOS you realize doesn’t actually add any driving time over USA HOS. In the USA, you can drive 11 after 10 off. In Canada, you can drive 13 hours every 24 hours, which amounts to essentially identical hours of driving.
The main reason for the increase in consecutive hours of driving is that major Canadian cities are further apart, thus the extra time to actually make something happen. No reason it should take 2 days to make a delivery from Halifax to Montreal, or Quebec City to Windsor.
Shogun says
Oh boy, it’s Barf Green again. Where ya been, troll?
Barney says
Min 30 mins break in Can to extend your day
ie 4×30, 2x1hr, 2 hr straight or combo thereof
Another example- you just need an extra 1/2hr- your day ends up being 14.5
Roger holcomb says
I think they should adopt Texas rules 12 hours driving in a 15 hour period with no 30 minute break and anytime you go off duty your 15 hour clock stops.
Rick says
What state is that?? Its not Texas rules.
The Scot says
Just like a previuos comment if the ATA, the anti trucking association, is against it then it must be good. Shippers and recievers dont need a reason to hold you plus if your company pushes you to work 17 hrs i will remind you that you are captain of that ship if you’re tired park it. I think it’s a great idea. Probably won’t pass but i’m for it.
Red says
Do away with the 14. You can’t put time on safety. If I want to take my sweet time to do 500 miles with multiple breaks I shouldn’t be penalized.
Rick says
AGREED!!!!
Michael w schultz says
I don’t see how this helps. What a driver needs is a straight 14 hr rule . On duty or driving. That way a driver can make the day work for them and not against.
J Carter says
At least someone is trying new. That hasn’t happened, with what truckers have to go through in mind, since what? 2004?
I say give it a chance.
I say also we need to thank Brian Babin. The REST Act may turn out to not be answer, but at least it is showing that we are trying to be worked with. Which is incredibly refreshing, since before, all we ever got was just talked down to by an uncaring and unfeeling government.
Alma says
Are you serius? You don’t see that they only need extra time at the sheeper and reciver that thay will make you log as off duty and make you work 3 extra hrs for free. Or are you not truck driver at all?
Driver says
Exactly right. Isnt it weird how congress cant seem to do a thing to actually help this country, regarding anything important like government criminality, foriegn relations, the illegal immigration problems, etc, yet it easily finds time to come up with and vote on extensive over-regulations in the trucking industry, near weekly ?..and its very easy to see why the crash numbers are going up instead of down, even with all their b/s new laws..the govt is causing it, via laws enacted only because big money companies have found the correct palms to grease to get their way, resulting in inexperienced idiots in 80,000 lb trucks playing with their phones, tablets, and laptops when they should be either driving ir better yet sitting at home playing on their wii..
Ronin Tondah says
Why should you be labeling newbees “inexperienced idiots”? You instantly negate your argument and showcase your partiality.
William Finney says
I like it. I am recently retired from trucking and always worked as an owner operator on %. I think this proposal (not perfect) but better than what you presently have.
Kelly says
Amen brother. I’m not retired, am an owner operator 10 of last 11 years in this industry. I to contract for percentage of revenue, hauling LTL refrigerated out of our same warehouse every week. I agree that it’s a start, I use the 8/2 split quite a bit also. Just another note for those that believe that being paid by the hour is an answer. It’s not a one size fits all. For the hours worked and or miles driven in a week, no company could or would pay the gross amount or net profit return I generate.
Dave B says
What the trucking outfit needs is a real leader. They say what happened back in the early 80s can’t be done again I say that’s hogwash start with one state state of California we can send a clear message to the government we’re not kidding. 40 million people out of food for 3 days will send a clear message they also need to get rid of the 70-hour rule for OTR drivers we can work at 14 and a 10 but the 70 has to go
Kenworthtyler says
Unfortunately with that the mega carriers like Swift Werner etc. Will take those loads and do the job and force it on their company drivers but I do agree with you if drivers did a shut down but like I said mega carriers get new drivers almost every minute and the government pays those companies a large amount of money to put new drivers/steering wheel holders behind the wheel and cover the shortage of drivers it also sickens me since they are allowed to use scare tactics on those new drivers cause they don’t have the experience in this industry to stand up for themselves which is truly sad
Dominique Blackwell says
Go back to the old school way. Drive 10 hrs rest 8 hrs and run the remaining 6 hrs. My grandfather ran like this back in the 50s to mid 70s. Then the government saw the money being made and decided to have their hands in it. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know when a driver is tired. Let the little guys run freely, but them leased owned operaters and company drivers make them run the 14 hour rule. Us little guys dont have anyone giving us loads or and things preplanned for us.
Andrew H says
As a daycab driver, I like this idea. I can do my entire run on one go, or if I find myself detained (like Mackinaw bridge delays or waiting at the terminal), I won’t need to declare a 16 hour “big day” which still is something new to most DOT cops. I can just go off duty and call it good.
How this will affect the OTR drivers though, could vary. Instead of capping your 14 hour clock with a 3 hour layover at some food warehouse, you can still have time to find a safe Haven afterwards, or proceed out of town towards your next pickup or something.
But I’m sure instead dispatch be like “well you got 3 hours. Drive 60 miles and we have a live load to pick up, and our computer says there’s overnight parking”. And you roll into another food warehouse and live load and can’t get out and they want you off so you’re burning the 17 hour oil trying to limp under the ELOGs to a nearby (full) truckstop, where you’ll park in a bad spot and 3 hours later you’re awaken by another driver or the truckstop employees telling you to move.
Yeah… I don’t miss OTR for a big carrier.
Darrin Duckworth says
Personally I commend anyone trying to change up the HOS. I myself despise the 30 minute break as well. However I don’t have to deal with a lot of the other bs that comes to other truckers. I mainly only do day time driving and 95% of the time I can park at my customers til the next morning. But I welcome any ratification to the rules as long as it helps us all and we are all on an even keel.
Terry Gaunt says
They need to fine shippers and receivers for holding us after an hour past our appointment time. Make the fine hurt, $5000 for every 15 minutes.
Robert Allard says
I strongly agree with you on that example picking up veggies or fruits and I have spent 11 hours waiting for a door than by 11 o.clock at night my load was ready and screwed up my log as well my company wanted me to drive overnight since my 11 day light hours and 14 hours log was gone.I went to bed till morning after 10 regular rest hours on the elog.
Gary says
If you waited 11 hours… You have a brand new clock
Alma says
That is way to go. But no they now wont 3 extra free hrs of your time. That is what this proposal is about.
Wind Jammer says
And pass it on to the driver or O/O. With no hold back. As, time is money. I’m in favor of this new bill. This is probanly the best new bill in trucking since I bagan my carrer 20 yrs ago.
Kenneth Mckinnon says
What the check did I just read?
A Congressman making sense?!
Lemme go back and read that again…just to make sure I read that right.
#C’Mon
Troglodyte says
There wouldn’t be any issue for any new regs if the LOSER, SCUMBAG, CUTRATE MILEAGE DRIVER would’ve kept his butt behind the dumpsters where he belongs!
We were all a lot safer before they started sorting through the trash
Thanks for nothing.
“Best in what class?” ZERO CLASS!
“KILLER CLASS” that’s been proven
Zeke Norris says
This is great for the shippers. They will say that you were on a break and won’t get detention. All the while you just took your break at a dock. Not much of a break if you ask me. Now get out there and do a 17 hour day..
Danny Cannan says
I guess nobody remember the good days when we didnt have the 14hr rule and we took naps whenever we wanted and our hrs of service were never an issue..There was nothing wrong with the hrs of service and logbooks back in the 80’s but some bozos just had to screw with it..I retired in 2008 and i see you still havn’t solved a damn thing!!
Yogi says
… and bread used to be a nickel a loaf. What’s your point?
Jeremy says
His point is it you were better rested but of course that isn’t what it is about.
George K says
That s the government for you: sticking its finger in business and making a mess of it!
E Wagner says
Just leave it like it is. Because there is always gonna be loopholes found with every bill past and they have plenty of data to support the changes to the rest act they are call drivers.
Spunasone says
I get detention after 1 hour, so if the companies keep the detention rules the same, then I am all for it! If however companies extend detention time, then this rule is a nod to the ship/receiver, and just another way to F’ the drivers. It would still be handy to have when approaching a big city prior to rush hour & some other scenarios.
Rob says
While this does make some sense to me I feel like it’s not enough. So we will not have a 30 minute break at all now? Just roll thru our 11 drive time? I’m of the mindset where I’d like to see the US and Canada (main) use the same HOS. They’re 13 hr day seems fair and while I’ve driven up there quite a bit I’ve found it nice. We need to be across the border the same.
Barf Green says
The problem with this logic is that any time they try to synchronize things across your borders, Americans inevitably insist on being the only voice at the table.
I prefer Canadian HOS just the way it is, thanks. We don’t need to change a thing and there is literally a 0% chance of any agency or politician in Congress standing up and saying “Canada does __________ better than us (THE GREATEST! THE BEST!) so we should try what they’re doing.”
They’ll just end up screwing it all up for us, too.
Shogun says
French fries and gravy, eh Barf?
Mperez says
No one will be happy because everyone drives different an shipper an receiver problems will never get fixed rescheduling too many loads because they can’t get delivered on time we are like work alcoholics trying to get us to work more so some higher up can get paid more
Jeremy says
The problem I have with the bill isn’t you will be working more , you won’t. It is this you will be in the truck more because it appears to do away with split sleeper time. If they want to fix it go back to the old hos 15/10/8 just require elds and the cheaters go away but that makes sense so it is a nonstarter
Albert says
The driver should be able to decide when , where, how and for how long to rest or continue to drive according to his body needs. THE ELOG, has proven to be a complete failure so far . It doesn’t apply to the reality of the job of the truck driver and the trucking industry. Everybody knows that : but, they to stupid to admit that . I know because I’m out here dealing with this stupidity every day : It has got so complicated that I decided to quit the trucking business for good.
Deborah says
This is Deborah O/O and Dr.
Why are u not posting my responses?
Powder River says
The bureaucrats have really screwed up and now for every Congressional intervention it just makes it worse. In the late 90’s the industry and the DOT were working together and very effectively, as a matter of fact, until the special interest groups involved themselves and themselves a minority didn’t believe the industry could police itself. Now we have HOS that are so destructive to the operation of trucking your not able to function efficiently. Government destroys everything it touches.
MrNA says
Sure it’s a start. I hope it goes through. Calling my Rep now. Then we can see all the industry extensions (exemptions). Yay ! Business as usual. BTW waiting a a shippers terminal is ” on duty ” time.
Alma says
Do you get paid for on duty at the shipper time?
Gary says
This does not make sense… I will be more tired after 17 hours versus 14 hours… Making me more of a hazard
Wow….Just trying to get us to work longer I believe
Buck says
Demand with e logs that companies pay by hour. Shippers and receivers would get there act together when they pay for driver time. Also who thinks it’s right that we give them 1 or 2 hours before we get paid. Maybe the company office should keep working without pay until detention time is up.
Jeremy says
Yep we should make 100 an hour after 1 hour and 50 for the first hour. The government wants to fix it regulate the shippers.
Eugene Ezell says
Hey this old man would appreciate an afternoon nap without a penalty
Peter says
I completely agree with Bob, RockyD and Donald Berry. I am sure that Robert and Brian White have a good point, too.
Here is the problem, though, and I am sure that all the seasoned drivers will agree with what I am about to say.
The 14/10 hour rule is a good thing and should not be touched. The problem is how it’s implemented within a working day of a driver. The current HOS rules prevent the driver from taking the power naps. All us drivers know very well that nasty feeling of sleepiness after 6,7, 8 or 9 hours of driving, when we do need to pull over and take a power nap(some of us may even need two or three short ones during our 11 hours of driving) We are all different and some of us need 2 hours or maybe 3 or 4. Most of the older, experienced drivers will not allow themselves to risk falling asleep behind the wheel and will pull over and get whatever the nap their body requires to keep moving safely, which happens at the cost of INCOME GENERATING driving hours. Others, with less experience (and there is a lot of them out there), plus all the ones that work for, how Bob put it “slave driving companies”(plenty of those out there, too) will push on, trying to force their body through that crisis moment of tirednes, because THE CUURENT HOS RULES FORCE THEM TO!!! And that’s when most of the accidents happen. I guarantee it. Do a study on that instead of pumping millions of dollars into completely idiotic research done by people who never spent even 5 minutes in a CMV, that result in things like 30 minute break, 34 hour restart, 70 hours on duty in 8 days, etc., which are the brain farts of all the PhDs behind some of the costly research and have no impact whatsoever on the SAFETY ON OUR BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN HIGHWAYS.
Simple solutions are always the best, so why don’t we make it very simple:
1. Don’t anybody dare to touch 14/10 hour rule
2. If the driver gets tired after 5,6,7,8,9 or 10 hours of driving and needs to take a power nap – LET HIM DO IT. However long that power nap is (it will be different for each individual driver) let it be part of an upcoming 10 hour break. So if the driver takes a 3 hour power nap after say 8 hours of continuous driving, he is allowed to continue for another 3 hours to get to his maximum allowable 11 hours, even if it goes slightly beyond 14 hours on duty(in other words, the power nap would cancel the 14 hour requirement until 11 hours of driving is reached) and then he is obligated to stop and take a minimum 7 hours in a Sleeper, to finish his mandatory 10 hour break. When he stops after 11 hours of driving and comples the 10 hour break cycle the new 24 hour cycle starts and That’s it! End of story! I guarantee that this kind of simple change will prevent more accidents, than 90% of the pointless regulations in place right now.
3. Get rid of 30 minute mandatory break, 34 hour restart, all that nonsense with 70/60 hours on duty in an 8/7 day work cycle – these rules do absolutely nothing for safety and we all know it.
4. So to keep it simple:
14/10 hour rule stays, but 14 hours is not a priority when the power nap is taken and allowed to be part of 10 hour break if taken after minimum 6 hours of driving within 11 hour driving cycle. 11 hours of driving cannot be circumvented except for the conditions already inside the HOS rules and that’s it!
5. If you really want to make an impact on safety, impose the mandated detention penalties on shippers and consignees and establish certain minimum portion of it, that has to be paid to the drivers.
I believe to do that, would be a true quality improvement to the HOS regulations and it would have a variety of positive influences on both safety on the roads and the bottom line for the drivers, carriers and shippers alike.
MrNA says
I concur !! Let the Driver do whatever he/she wants.
Battery says
Stick with the same old timer infection, that is no solution. Seasoned drivers are the problem. We need to create a system that can draw in fresh blood! Your logic is strained by years of indoctrination.
I will continue to announce that fatigue tests are the only solution to our future. Then those of us who are in fact beasts of they highway can bring forth an era of untold treasures.
I do however support a reduction in truck speed as most of us think we can hard brake and not damage the infrastructure. Another note of import is the simple fact that our tires are rated for <80mph travel. Not 65, but 72mph as we move into the next chapter of autoxmission. Any straight trucks, local daycabs, service/utility vehicles, class B and below need to be restricted to 55 (their unprofessional driving does the most dmg to our roadways). Bear in mind that would work only in conjunction with fatigue tests.
Daniel says
We need hours of service to prevent our employers (aka dispatch) grinding us into powder. Outside of that, being restricted to so many hours per day is wrong. If it takes me 18-hours to do the job, it takes me 18-hours to do the job — and if it’s my last day of the week before 36+hours off, I may want to work 20-hours to increase my wages for the pay period. The thing is, we can’t – we are restricted, whether we are fatigued or not, or have had 4-hours sleeper birth at a customer location and can easily do 20-hours since we started without a problem. Those 4-hours are only as good as 2-hours and it’s not fair because we have zero control over poorly planned dispatch, overscheduled and delayed customers, weather, etc. as pointed out.
As far as I’m concerned, sleeper birth should be 1:1. If I started at 4am and I have 4-hours sleeper birth, I should be able to finish my day at 10pm if that’s what it necessary to complete the job. If you want to force me to trade off hours 1:1 as well – 12 hours off followed by 18-on duty, I’m okay with that — but you have to be FLEXIBLE because life is variable. Hardline rules benefit no one.
Not all people are fatigued at same time. I know drivers that are like, “I’ve been working for 8-hours and have made $200 – I’m going home” while the rest of us have to pick up their slack. Maybe they’re tired; maybe they’re lazy. Maybe they just don’t GAF. But when we have to hire more drivers and saturate our driver pool to get the work done instead of giving us more time to do it, you increase the cost of insurance, more trucks, etc. to the company and decrease our wages.
These regulations are hurting the industry, not helping it. There should be 90% focus on the safety of the equipment and 10 % mining HOS.
Daniel says
I hate not being able to edit — be sure that’s sleeper BERTH. haha.
George K says
The American Trucking Assiciation by not supporting the bill finally proves once and for all that they are against truckers leading productive lives on the road so many days! They have their own agenda, they are a bunch of thugs and criminals that should be arrested for promoting hos that make me as a driver a ticking time bomb at the mercy of shippers, receivers, traffic, adverse weather conditions, etc..They dont represent the DRIVER but the large companies from whom they receive money to promote their agenda which is to bamboozle the driver into submission for their benefit! Dont worry ATA- Spartacus is coming: drivers and OOIDA know your foxy tricks!
Brad says
Should be able to take as many breaks as required up to the 3 hours.
Or look at the Canadian regs.
Much better for time management.
steven says
The only way this could work is if you are NOT ALLOWED TO USE IT AT A CUSTOMERS FACILITY.
Barf Green says
Why? I used to deliver to plenty of customers that allowed me to nap in my bunk while they figured out what they were doing. I’d check in, make sure they’d come out (and not just flick the light to green) when I was empty and head off for my siesta, play guitar, bbq pork chops behind the cab or whatever. Sometimes all 3.
If I couldn’t use the 3 hours at a customer, it would be useless. Why put myself 3 hours behind just to arrive at the dock and sit for another 3 hours?
Shogun says
Old Barf, just one stupid anecdote after another.
James says
If i remember right if you are at a shipper/receiver. You can NOT log sleeper/off duty. Unless the facility has a drivers lounge and if they dont you must remain in the truck using up your 14 hours. Because going into your sleeper doesnt stop your clock.
Yogi says
This is the worst thing that could ever happen. Split sleeper berth, pause button, whatever you want to call it.
The inefficient supply chain has always expected the transportation fraternity to make up for its inadequacies. Carriers have in turn foisted that burden onto drivers.
Finally, after decades of abuse, drivers are in a position where their time has become valuable. Everyone now has to treat driver’s hours as a precious commodity not to be squandered or wasted.
I cannot believe that there are drivers out there that think it is okay to give back to the supply chain the very thing it will use to abuse your time and your pay.
In the immortal words of Sheldon Cooper; “Did you take a marijuana? Did you bump your head?”.
I noticed above that one poster commented that loading time is on duty time, which is correct. Come on man. Do you really think that is going to happen? Not a snowball’s chance in hell.
The old ways are gone, done, over. Get past it. Trucking is not a charity.
Battery says
Really… the worst thing that could happen? I’m pretty sure it’s bad, however saying it’s the worst implies that you haven’t really thought out your argument.
Jusayin! ;p
Meatball says
Putting a ‘pause’ button in place is ridiculous ..just eliminate the 14 ..stupid bureaucrats ..
J C says
Yes the new HOS Yes it is little better than the present.
But there is something more important. Ee should do. Shippers and carriers, must work together,
to help the drivers work happy,
Free of stress. for their own safety their families and the public. Shippers and carriers need to enforce more proffecionalism. Employees with a good actitud. Bad actitud can lead to have miserable work day and can lead to have for example fights ,stress accidents on the roads, including fatalities.
Harvey Dangerfield says
Government is telling us what to do! Just get the hell out of our lives & delete the whole HOS!! This is so B.S. We don’t tell them in Congress how long to work to fix the BUDGET overnight working 24 hrs consecutively then driving home. After no sleep. Our fore fathers wouldnt allow for this to happen with the citizens especially, the ones who do service for America. The ones that “KEEP AMERICA ROLLING”. This would slow trucks down & it would be safer without the clocks. You got backasswards politicians that don’t know their own ass from their brains. God helps us for what they are teaching in public schools & universities now. For in the future our grandkids will really have brainless senators. America will erode away!
Old man says
Just remember you are giving that time for FREE. Yup, more giveaways. Soon you all will be paying the trucking companies to work for them. Why not take a page from the teachers that are shutting down and refusing to put up with substandard wages and benefits. Notice, boys and girls, this is what gets the attention needed, but I waste my breath.
Barf Green says
How would allowing the driver to pause their hours result in giving anything extra away for free? Drivers are already giving the shippers hours for free, and then are doubly impacted by losing 3 hours off their day.
At least this way, you can make up the 3 hours on your shift if you so choose.
This comment thread really does drive home the point that drivers suffer from oppositional defiance disorder. Just last week, everyone agreed that the 14 hour window was the problem. Now someone proposes a change to address it, and everyone is a staunch supporter of the 14 hour rule. We’re our own worst enemy.
Shogun says
And you suffer from thinking your opinion is important. You make people want to yak, Barf!
Chauncey Wyant says
Exactly,this New plan is just a bone thrown to those who fall for it instead of dealing with the REAL Problem (the 14 hr rule itself) THE WHOLE REASON DOR THE ELD BEING IMPLEMENTED WAS SAFTEY. IF THE TRUCK ISNT MOVING THE DRIVER SHOULD BE OFF DUTY.ONCE THE TRUCK MOVES THE CLOCK STARTS UNTIL IT STOPS AGAIN WHICH ALSO STOPS THE CLOCK UNTIL IT RESUMES MOVEMENT AGAIN AND THE CLOCK THEN RESUMES AS WELL.
David Wiggins says
That is the way it should have been set up from day one. If the truck is not moving more than. 5 miles per hr you should be. Able to stop the 14 hr clock from moving this would apply greatly if you ran up on a bad accident and the road was closed for 3 or 4 hrs while they cleaned it up. I have said this from the day. They came up with the computerized brainy idea of controlling how a driver drives..
Harrell says
Still a stupid rule a person could be in a traffic jam for 2 hours and get to there place to make the delivery and wait 4 hours, how is this rule going to help. The 14 hours gimmick needs to be done away with.
Dayne Creveling says
So, it’s the introduction of a 17 hour clock. Thanks, no thanks.
David Wiggins says
Lazy
Dayne Creveling says
Fool.
Max says
Doing away with the mandatory 30 min break is great by itself. I do not drive anymore, I’ve gone over to the evil side…I’m a dispatcher. I cannot begin to tell you how many times a driver is less than an hour from his/her destination but has to stop for this 30 minute break, then ends up being late and many times the receiver will require a reschedule. I hear drivers every night ask if they can “just skip the break for now, I’ll be at the receiver in 20 minutes.”
And as for ‘forcing’ them to use this pause? No. I’m sure there are dispatchers that will, but with so many companies needing (wanting?) drivers, this would seem to be to the driver’s advantage. Your company tries to over work you? tries to convince you to run illegal? There are dozens more out there that will gladly accept you, and pay as much or more.
I’ve considered going back out and drive again, but the nanny state brings me right back to my senses. 41 years was enough.
Kenneth A. Thompson says
Personally I think it’s a good idea but it should be set up like the 16hr exception for local and short hual drivers, you can only use it once a week. I also think they should set up a exception to allow extra time to get you home. What I mean by that if your only a couple hours or so from home terminal and parking the truck and getting your 34hr reset started. Lets face it no matter what they do it will not work out for a lot of drivers but will help out others.
Felix says
Why is a professional driver regulated when the non-professional can get in the car in New York City and drive straight through to Los Angeles without a break at all and not have to worry about a damn thing but me is a professional truck driver has to be regulated by the federal government not to mention the local governments of the each and every state that wants to take money for me at every chicken house across this nation just because I like burnt out or they didn’t see my seatbelt on because I wear a black shirt and have a black seat belt and a black seat so nobody can see that thing but yet I am always screwed over by it at least this politician is trying to help us and I hope somebody can see that and quit complaining about what he’s trying to do and actually see if we can get something done in this country truck drivers need to stick together does anybody remember the last strike that shut this country down Back in 77 it was less than a week before the FED stepped in and that’s when the teamsters got broken up into locals and when a local goes on strike only that local strikes not the whole country Let’s Get Serious folks stick together that shut this country down and we will get what we want that’s all we need to do
Thomas says
What’s wrong with having more hours to make more revenue? Right now we have 13.5 hrs a day to get it done and having an extra 3 hrs can be beneficial with my pay check. Sounds like a bunch of lazy cry babies!!
Thomas N. Kirkpatrick says
How can the ATA possibly have a problem, with this?
Matt says
ATA is the large tricking Companies lap dog
Truck driver says
Now I can take a nap won’t be tired driving
Terry says
Well, it’s good. And, well it’s bad too. It will give drivers some much needed flexibility and give companies yet another chance to manipulate drivers like robots and not human beings.
So, I think on this one, just have to wait and see if it passes and if it ends up bringing more good than bad or more bad than good and go from there.
SLarsen says
How about get rid of HOS all together and base our driving for a day on miles. Let us choose when to start, stop, take breaks, etc. and only allowed certain amount of miles to drive a day.
SnowWalker says
That’s the way it used to be. The only problem was, it was usually the company that determined your HOS. I can not so fondly remember driving 16 hours, dropping the load at a receiver’s dock only to be told by dispatch that I had to pick up an emergency load and and be back on the road for another ten hours. Be thankful there are now some restrictions over companies that prevent that kind of driver abuse. Driving 16 – 18 hours per day is great for three or for days; however, after several days of that, your body does start to wear down.
Julia Scott says
That would be a dream come true. The government has to create a whole organization to micromanage us though, and they wouldn’t have jobs anymore.
Luther says
Just go a head and do it already make it an 80 hr week 20 hr days jeez what a bunch of bs
Brian G. Benson says
Hey, do your research. This is a great step in our (captains of your ship) advantage. Its not forced, only upto 3 hours and once per day. Personally, 11 hours every 24 is the best. But, if you study it, it’s a great resource to use. This rule will save you from unloading 4 hours then another 4 hours reloading on the same day and still be able to get down the road. This is better than any regs we have now. Dont get negative, be professionals. I’m looking forward to this, if we still cant get the 11/24 going again. Be safe my fellow drivers.
Anthony says
Definitely a move in the right direction, but that pause button needs to be indefinite…Everyone knows about some of those shippers and receivers that take a hell of a lot more than just 3 hours to load or unload.
Alex D. says
It’s sad that teachers can strike. The government can shut down & children can protest school shooting but stupid truckers can back each other with a strke to fix all this carp that is endlessly thrown on us. We make the store full and supply the food and goods people need. I think it is long past time to remind the what we do and how little we are rewarded
Samuel Gallezzo says
Wow…wonder how companies are going to screw drivers with that.
Eric Willis says
1. The problem is that Drivers are brainwashed in to working
14 hours a day to make a living. All Drivers are exhausted after 14 hours. What kind of quality of life is working 14 hours a day.
2. Another problem is that the important
hours is what the Driver does in his or her 10 hour break.
3. Long Distance, Regional and local Drivers have different needs. A 10 hour break for a Driver on the road is non productive. They also need to classify Drivers as Professional, Experienced and Beginner.
4. All of the changes have and will hurt the economy.
5. Truck Drivers are treated as second class citizens and are slowly losing their rights.
Again…..the most important hours are the hours a Driver does in his time off.
pyroBill1 says
Finally ! I can take a nap when I get drowsy and not be forced to keep driving bc the elog says I need to drive.
Brad says
Should be able to take as many breaks as required up to the 3 hours.
Or look at the Canadian regs.
Much better for time management.
woofbeast says
Some companies may use this as an excuse to not pay detention to the driver.
Douglas Kirk says
They still can’t see the forest for the trees……the 14 hour b.s. IS the problem. Don’t delay it, get rid of it. Makes no difference when you drive or when you sleep. All the 14 does is penalize drivers who are trying to be safe.
I agree the ATA is totally clueless. They’re like the preachers on tv who claim to be doing all kinds of good things, while they secretly are slimebags
Dale says
I can’t believe how many people are saying it benefits the company because now they can force you to use the 3 hour break at a shipper or receiver. Last I checked you are required to be on duty for that time period. Now you can stop and rest if needed and not count against you. Bonus no stupid 30 min break.
MADMIKE says
You can show 10 min on duty for checking in and putting tgthe e truck in the dock waiting to get loaded or unloaded if it takes 3 hours you can show sleeper if you don’t have to count or load unload yourself and when you loaded or unloaded you show 5 min on duty again for paperwork itd legal call state police if been doing it dor years and got inspected and never had a problem
James says
Reguardless you just lost 3 hours and 15 min. Of your 14 hours.so you drive for 8 hours take 30 min. Off drive your other 3 hours to make your 11. Oh im sorry you cant do that your over your 14 hours so now your down to 10.45 of drive time. Say your paid 42 cents a mile and you know the most miles youll get in is 500 with traffic etc.theres your 210 bucks.that means you just worked fo 15 bucks an hour before taxes.food.shower. if you can find a place to park. And that is if you got paid for the 3.15 hours at the facility. And you probly didnt. Just saying we all need to do our math. Hell for 10 bucks an hour ill work in a warehouse be home every night with the family etc. Just something to think about folks.
Darko says
Who are you ATA? Who do you represent? Drivers? Is this a joke?
ATA must be banned from working in name of American drivers! That ATA organization is criminal, corrupted group that works in favor of big companies under falls presentation of helping drivers…
Jude says
Who sits up all night thinking up the ridiculous names for these do-no-one-any-good-in-the-long-run bills?
Unclefungus says
There is only one solution to HOS.
Start paying drivers by the hour and at union wage levels. Watch the trucks slow down and the shippers and receivers speed up.
AC says
Ummm there’s already a split sleeper option… the question is how will this 3 hour “rest/pause” affect the current split sleeper berth option. Usually, I take a 2 hour nap about 8 hrs into my 14 (and yes doing it this way doesn’t stop your 14). Then finish what’s left of my 14, and take my 8 hour sleeper or at least log it! After that 8 hour sleeper, my first 8 hours (before my 2 hour nap) are back! Or, do it the other way….
Do your 8 hour sleeper first (doing it this way WILL stop your 14 hour clock), then take my 2 hours later! Easy peasy. The 8/2 or 2/8 is the ONLY way to split sleeper. Period! And that’s if your ELD is provisioned correctly! I know Omnitracs, Rand McNally, and KeepTruckin are and do allow this split per theFederal 70/8 guidelines. This is the problem with smaller, cheaper companies “self certifying” which is another issue I won’t get into at the moment.
Now, if I can combine my 3 hour “rest/pause” with my 2 hour split sleeper berth, I would be absolutely happy, keep my mouth shut, and not have anything else to complain about. I can do magic then 😁
James says
Keep in mind this all has to be done between midnight to midnight. So does it really help? Thats why they are dropping the 30 .
AC says
Y’all really have to learn how to manipulate the 14 to make it work for you! Give me any rule you want. I don’t care. I will always find a way to make it work to my advantage because I actually do my homework and learn everything these stupid lawmakers write word for word, and then use it against them… or should I say to my advantage! #CantStopTheHustle
James says
Yup so true..like the 30 minute it says must be taken after 8 full hours on duty. So say i have to stop for a bathroom brake (take a dump) and it takes 15 min. Do i get to go another 8 before taking the 30?
Old man Bill says
Might work, but we REALLY need relief from shippers and receivers. Let’s look at billing shippers and receivers. How? We are charged for being late over 15 minutes, right? Charge them, using THEIR Chinese arithmetic!! Over 15 minutes to unload? No problem, fine them $175.00 per hour for all minutes over 15.
JB says
Only when it suits / benefits them. This has nothing to do with safety. Once the rates are all skyrocketed they’ll come to the table again and reasess.
Tate trucking says
My problem is getting held up picking up and not making my delivery in time during the business day and being too tired to drive my full clock so I can be productive. These pipe yard aren’t giving out detention pay…
MADMIKE says
This helps when you stuck at tge truckstop waiting to get maintenance done and they say its a 2 hour wait or more to get in at least you got more time and you have a better chance of getting home on the weekends
Battery says
This is just simply a band aid on a massive contusion. The simple fact, say no more this year drivers. They need 900k of us to keep up freight. Take advantage of it and get paid.
So what is the fix to keep prices down and money in our pockets? I think the fatigue tests are the best technology for us. With those the industry can and should drop “HOS”!!! No clock means far more safe driving… especially with the multiple ways a fatigue test can be applied. I.E. start truck, chicken coop, smokey bear stop, and randomly throughout your day. With no clock the inconvenience of being stopped has no merit on a professional.
This is still “newer” technology but it’s certainly the best solution since alcohol was invented. Pun intended, be safe my fellow drivers, and remember to say no just because you can!
Matthew Ewers says
Great…so a 14 hour day now turns into a 17 hour day….and how is this promoting safety? Look, HOS is simple…12 hours on duty, 12 hours off duty. Yes, it really is that simple. Pay hourly across the board, minimum wage for truck drivers is $17 an hour. Anything over 8 hours a day is overtime. Problem solved.
Julia Scott says
Before the 30 minute “pie and coffee break,” I used to take an hour and a half to walk, exercise, and get some fresh air. When they enacted the 14 hour rule, I had to just stop that foolishness and stay behind the wheel for 11 hours straight. Then they enacted the mandatory 30 minute break because they are idiots who don’t understand anything about living life in a truck 24/7. The 14 hour rule is a restriction that needs to go away so we can have the time we want for sleeping, eating, walking, or whatever we need to do.
Joe Schneider says
Whole I think it is a step in the right direction.3 hours is a good number. Its not long enough to allow most cheating. For getting unloaded, drop and hook, fueling etc.. But not so long that drivers won’t use it.
I don’t like doing away with the 30 minute (lunch) break. So no you will have drivers. Going there entire 11hours. With no break at all.
Frustrated says
If they want to make laws how about mandatory detention after 2 hours. Make it a law and things will have to change. Otherwise they always weasel out of it somehow.
James Orozco says
Duh duh can some one explain how the 3 hrs would work. Am l to to take the full 3hrs at once like the mandatory 30min rule.
James says
If you use it yes. You do not have to use it
David says
If there willing to do this they should no problem doing a 16 hr work day with a 12hr driving time with a 4 hr on duty with 8 hr sleeper.
Timothy Armstrong says
I am a 30 year driver. Age 60. The rules as they are now leave me more tired and driving fatigued than ever.
I drive a dedicated low altitude route for Frito-Lay from Modesto California to Denver Colorado weekly. The route goes from Modesto to Bakersfield to Barstow to Salt Lake City to Rawlings to Casper to Denver. Then I home whatever back via I 25 and I 80. The total route is approximately 3300 miles I do it in 5 1/2 days. And If at any time there is a delay I cannot meet the 60 hour week. On paper logs we all know what would happen the driver would fortify the Loh and make it look about right. Most recently I got to Denver and I had to empty trailer. So while I waited my 14 hour clock expired. All the while I was late for a pick up appointment. So you get the idea. I did not make it back to San Francisco bay area before my receiver closed and now I need to deliver on Monday. Making me late for pick up at Frito-Lay. Making a late in the future for my return trip etc.
Perhaps someone should look at the hours of service not as one shoe fits all. There is no way to Compare what I do as a dedicated driver to what someone for a freight company does. I believe the 10 hour break is a waste of two hours. Walking around the truckstop I see the younger new drivers in their bunk playing video games.
An Xbox Will work just as easily in a truck as it does in your home.
It’s my opinion that the restart and all the changes from the time that transpired or actually detrimental to the health and safety of the driver and the general public. Sitting in a truck stop for 36 hours does not equal going home for three days. When I started driving the common practice was to stay out for 30 days and then get a day off each week. If you look at logs in real time in an actual time worked work mean everything that is not sleep and is not in a truck stop or a restaurant, dock time staging time loading unloading etc. if you look at all of that time can you run it on a 30 day recap you’ll find more than 50% of the drivers exceed the 70 hour rule. That is even taking into consideration the 36 hour reset. After the reset the next day or the day after the driver is exceeding 70 hours in real time worked.
This law was passed and pushed for by the megacarriers like Warner or swift JB Hunt Snyder etc.
I do not know what solution is. There are too many people with too many financial interest. I suppose you could national life’s truck driving in the same manner that is real mandates enlistment in the military. thus making all trucks the property of United States government and every single person operating said equipment would be a short term employee of the government. This approach will teach people helluva lot better driving skills but that’s different subject.
And that is tantamount to socialism or communism. And when you consider the overall picture of wood just sticks in the United States and the world it is probably one of the largest employers. If you look at humans from the context of farm animals I suppose everybody’s lining up at the feed trough and that is tantamount to socialism or communism. And when you consider the overall picture of wood just sticks in the United States and the world it is probably one of the largest employers. If you look at humans from the context of farm animals I suppose everybody’s lining up at the feed trough (Walmart &fast food)
And someone has to take the responsibility to keep the cows fed or there be angry and start a stampede. And we wouldn’t want to see that not even in the B-movie.
Back to crashes this week the first week of April 2018 because of my delay in Denver Colorado forementioned I was forced to drive at night what I normally sleep. And sleep during the day which I cannot do unless I’ve been awake for four days in a stressful situation like war.
The 14 hour rule and a mandated electronic logging device is actually cost me to drive when I was tired. What I would’ve normally done on paper logs is falsify them and drive during the normal time that I am normally awake. I have done this for 30 years and I admit that I have done this for 30 years, In fact after going to work at Western truck driving school in Tuallitan Oregon and going to work for a Carrier no longer in existence Donco carriers Oklahoma City I was taught by a driver how to falsify my mods how to run a looseleaf logbook and how to actually earn money as a driver after D regulation. Now there isn’t enough money in truck driving to make it worth the time, tracking seems to be one of the largest employers, maybe that’s why so many youngsters are trying to make their fortune selling drugs. The American dream has vanished into inflation. It’s like grandma and grandpa’s dream. I just witnessed a young couple working for google purchase my sisters house that she paid $230,000 for they paid $1.3 million closing April 1. My point there is how can the young people expect to be treated or expect to feel any self respect when they are so regulated they may as well join the army and take their chances on being killed. I wonder what the expert denture wasp Ray show for young drivers versus young soldiers are. Why do I care I’m 60 edit any minute under the current regulations I could acquire enough tickets to lose my license. I care because were being totally excuse the word fucked over there is no other way to say it.
If you really want the crash rates to go down abolish the law Exemptingt truck drivers from the labor law. Abolish mileage pay abolish piece rate and pay the drivers a fair wage by the hour actually worked including in limited to dock time standby time load and unload. Abolish the practice of lumpers and go back to regulated freight rates. Regulate the commodity based on the mileage pay drivers an hourly wage or a percentage wage and not by the mile so that the carriers can simply shade off or skim $$
Why do mega fleets like Swift have as many people in the office as they get behind the wheel?
Why not have a freight app that could instantly match the shipper with a truck and do away with brokers dispatchers etc. why can’t the same platform or software model like Uber or lift that matches common people with people who need rides, could be used to match freight with trucks. I’ll tell you why because brokers make their living out of negotiating for the highest shipping cost wall pain the lowest actual payment to the people doing the work. If the freight was regulated and the app matched the truck with the load and this was a national system then The product would be transferred from point a to point B and the cows would be feed.
You need to rethink how your farm runs Mr. President. Weight was never a former. Those people those lawyers they don’t have a clue. Send them all the work on the farm for six months and then maybe they can fix the problem
Helen says
I see a lot of people talking about split logs. Hell ya. For the first 20 years I drove it was 8 hrs in sleeper in a 24 period, which you could split.
IT WORKED GREAT!!!!!
David says
I’ve read all the comments posted on this and see that they’re lots of different opinions, from A to Z. Looks to me that this 3 hrs is ours to do as we see fit ,if we get it , I’m not giving it up to shippers or receiving, I may need it on down the road. I agree that at lest, we have one in Washington that’s using common sense to help us O/O and drivers . I also agree that 90% of the rules and mandates enfrenged upon us is B.S. And aren’t SAFTY oriented! I know when I’m tired and need a break or nap and I’m assured you know when you need the same , we don’t need a electronic gadgets , nor rules and regs. to tell us. All we need at that time is a place to park without fear of a ticket and points. This might be a bandage,when we need a touniquet ! At lest it’s a step in the other direction! Thank You, Rep. Brain Babin
Austin says
All this does is give drivers the opportunity to falsify about time spent on duty so they can get more driving hours. Also it allows fatigued drivers to drive further. I don’t know about you but I’m tired after working 14 hours. I can’t stand greedy drivers that jeopardize safety to make more money.
David Donovan says
As long as hours of service rules are being created by people who have never driven a truck, it will always be a bureaucratic mess.
Donovan says
The entire construct of the hours of service rules and regulations is flawed. It needs to be completely scrapped and re-built.
Among many problems with it is the fact that all drivers are governed by the same rules, whether they’ve been driving for 18 months or 18 years. When we mature and function as adults instead of immature children, we come to understand that hard work and excellent conduct should result in earning privileges.
Certainly, if I have been driving for five or more years and I have a perfect driving record, I should be able to make my own schedule according to what I think is safest. The hours of service rules should be in the favor of the driver, meaning that by federal law I can’t be forced to drive more than a certain number of hours, but I should be allowed to if I prove that I can and I want to.
If I was working for a company that tried to force me to do something unsafe, I should have a direct line to the feds to report the bad employer. So finally, the person who’s ass would be on the line would be the employer’s, not the trucker’s.
Final thought: The people of the United States of America do not understand that truck drivers are 10 times more important to their health and well-being then police or fire fighters. Until they understand that, truckers are going to be underpaid and abused.
Alan says
We need this regulation I think. Not only coz of loading/ unloading hold ups but also for yhose of us who want to take an extra hour or two of sleep during the shift without affecting it. This way driver can stop when he is sleepy and have some rest and then finish his shift safely. I think this would be a really good improvement for drivers
Leah says
Well the ata is a abunch of mega carrier shills and ofcourse the megas don’t want this. I’m personally done with trucking, selling the truck and finding something else, all you people can starve and go naked lol. Tired of it.
Sandra Sanders says
Hopefully Congress will do something for the truck drivers who are trying to make a honest living. Leaving family and friends for days and sometimes weeks on end. They work hard to provide the service the shippers and receivers want without much gratitude. Please do something good for our truck drivers. Been married to a Owner/Operator for 47 years that still drives and has owned and operated multiple trucks for years. ELD’s are also making it hard for the drivers. Cost, production and stress.
Lawrence says
I still think they should go back and let us break sleep time into 2 periods if needed like 8-2 or 6-4 or so on as long as you have 10 hours that way you can sleep when your tired as far as the 30 minutes goes I still think it’s ok as everyone stops for that long in there trip some where along the line
Merry says
Drivers are not robots.
Who’s going to make a rule for brokers, shippers and receivers.
Produce loads in the Rio Grande valley the most of time the waiting time is more than 6 hours. AND frozen delivery are 10 hours. AND brokers dont want PAID detention.
If shippers and receivers make their job in less than 3 hours the elogs will function safe for drivers.
Donald Anglin says
..freaking ‘pause’ button??? ..
..if these idiots turn the industry on it’s ear with ELDs ..they need a wholesale change of the entire HOS ..not a ‘tweek’ ..this is so lame ..
Kenny says
Im for anything the ATA is against.
ADAM says
Trust me guys, i respect all of you, even thise who are new to this business.
I drove A taxi can in Virginia DC and marylabd, we drive 13 hours a day and we were happy with it, i moved to new hampshire and worked for gasket company and then didn’t work, i started my CDL training meanwhile i was driving Uber in Boston, 50 min away from Manchester NH.
I started driving over the road feom 2015 until now, i only ‘ve been local for kroger in Columbus OH for 4 month and i got tired of it, just because i doany loads in my 14 hours without stop, as local i had to use all my 14 hours of duty, i start at 4pm, i ended up going home at 6 am in the morning, which i think is stupid to do right? No rest!!!
So as a summary, adding 3 hours to 14 hours is just another problem, you can’t jump in your bed and make yourself fell asleep like a magic, your body needs to get ready and then you sleep after 30 min or so, this ofcourse adds up to the docking, paper work and waiting to get a door, so it doean’t worth it.
I’m asking all of you drivers?
***do you really want to hurt your body in long term?*** of course not right, so think smart, do this please all of you××××
*** make those stupid trucking companies, shippers, receivers and brokers pay us more in a shirt period instead of paying us the same amount of money even if you are exteding the hours you work.***
This is just in case you really want to take care of your body in many ways: 1.you can afford renting near the industrial zone which are very expensive comparing to places where no jobs.
2.your family can find a good job close by to your home and tbey don’t have to travel many miles
3.you can affird buying your own truck very soon.
4.you can afford buging your own house.
5.you make more and less effort. By working less hours, and good pay.
6.you pay your health care, insurance bills, and there you are. Peace of mind, you can work hard and even make more.
Now let put it this way;
The very best thing those people in charge if making law can do for us, is to let us drive 13 hours in a 24 hours period. This will make thing more easy and it will make roads safe, companies can make more maney, and deivers can make extra by going extra miles a day. There will be no more racing against the time. You could sleep up to 10 hours no question, if 8 hours of sleep is good for you then no one should push you to sleep more. About my meals and shower and wirk out and laundry, it is nobody’s business, i can eat my meal in 4 minutes if i want to.
Please write me a reply, if i’m wrong let me know . You can also reach me at konyaxpress,gmail
Thanks and be safe out there proffesionals!
ADAM says
Please forgive my errors as i was typing words!
robin says
Why make it so complicated? Oh yeah, suits! get rid of the 14 which now with ELDs you’re racing the clock to the last second, keep the 11 and 10 restart, and start charging shippers and receivers like they do us if they take too long.
shippers and receivers sometimes act like gods, but if trucks stop showing up, it’s a different story.
course none of this will ever happen.
James says
Its 3 hours not 2 and has to be taken all at once cant split it.
James says
Has anyone thought about how many hours rhis 3 hour thing will save on our 70 hour clock? Thats 21 hours a week an extra 21 hours to get home. No 30 minute brake. That only gives you 8 of your 70. Folks look at the whole picture not just by the day. And it doesnt say we have to take it. And all this using it at the shippers is BS. because your on duty while there if you log it any other way your wrong as posted in the book. And sleeper birth doesnt stop your 14. Can only log off duty if the facility has a driver lounge. At least if you take this 3 hours it stops your clock and go back to driving where you left off to get your 11 in.
Ryan says
Let’s get this sleeper birth split done and 2 or 3 hour pause implemented before we lose more and more experienced carriers and drivers! Split sleeper 2/8, 3/7 and 4/6. Then new 5 mph is horrible and screws everything up at times. I need to move my truck to a door next to mine so they could unload and my clock had to start over. Also trying to get outside of the shippers and receivers facilities because a lot of them kick you out or you have to leave the door and go park. O/O should have the choice of mph till your duty status turns to on duty automatically. Give us at least 15mph or 20mph. I feel like a prisoner in my truck.
Ryan says
You can never get home to your family especially when rates go down you need to be able to work more. I spend double the time in my truck and make less now and never get home. Also some of these big shippers and receivers only provide 1 outdoor port a potty. Who wants to use that when its 15 degrees out or over 100 in there during the summer. You begin to feel like a prisoner in your truck or like a wild animal that has to go to the bathroom outside no matter the weather or conditions.