As a fleet owner, you should be aware of the changes and updates going on in the industry. For example, did you know there was a change in hours of service?

Here is a summary of the new hours of service rules, which go into effect on July 1, 2013:

<strong<Mandatory Driver Rest Breaks: A driver may drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty period of at least 30 minutes.</strong<

On-duty time: This does not include any time resting in a parked vehicle. In a moving CMV, on-time duty does not include up to 2 hours in the passenger seat immediately before or after 8 consecutive hours in sleeper-berth.

Limitations on the 34 hour restart rule: The 34 hours must include two periods between 1 am – 5 am (home terminal time) and the restart can only be used once per week.

Oilfield exemption: A logbook or electronic equivalent must indicate the “waiting time” for certain drivers at oilfields as off duty. This can be identified in “remarks” or a separate line added to “grid.”

Penalties: Allowing a driver to drive 3 or more hours beyond the driving-time limit may be considered a violation. Therefore, this act is subject to the maximum civil penalties. These penalties can also apply to passenger-carrying drivers.

 

So who will these rules affect and apply to? Pretty much anyone who drives commercial motor vehicles must follow the regulations. More specifically, if a fleet vehicle fits any of these descriptions, it must follow the new hours of service rule:

• A vehicle that is used as part of a business and is involved in interstate commerce.
• Weighs 10,001 pounds or more.
• Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, not for compensation.
• Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers, including the driver, for compensation.
• A vehicle considered a CMV that is involved in transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards through Interstate or intrastate commerce.

At Wolpert Insurance, we believe that knowing these new rule changes will help your company remain productive and safe. Paying attention to these kinds of updates can also help your drivers avoid fatigue while driving. If your employees were to continue driving while tired, this would put everyone on the road at serious risk of being involved in a collision. This is why you should reduce this risk by allowing for breaks as regulated and by having our fleet insurance for protection. Contact us today at 508-459-4700 for more information about our services and customizable products!