What to Know About the Updated Hours of Safety Rules

30 Jun 2021

Effective September 29, 2020 there are new rules in place concerning hours of service. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is committed to improving safety for drivers of all types on the road today.

Sometimes, these rules err by creating situations that sound good on paper but operate at odds with real word drivers and situations. These new rules are largely in response to driver concerns that the most recent changes actually created more dangerous situations for drivers. These rules offer greater flexibility without endangering drivers and others on the road. Here’s what you need to know.

Record of Duty Status (RODS).

Drivers operating within 150 air miles of their operations base no longer have to keep RODS. That limit was previously 100 miles. Additionally, the on-duty limit increased from 12 to 14 hours.

The 30-Minute Break Rule.

This rule was amended from requiring a 30-minute break within the first eight hours of being “on duty” to requiring drivers to take a 30-minute break within the first eight hours of actual driving time. It also allows times when the driver is “on duty” but not driving to count as the required break.

Exceptions for Adverse Driving Conditions.

Drivers who run into bad weather may increase their driving time by up to two hours, under the updated rules.

Exceptions to the Sleeper Berth Provision.

Under current rules, drivers were required to be off-duty for 10 hours before they could pause the 14-hour clock. They had the option of a single 10-hour period of two periods with one lasting eight hours and the other lasting two hours. The new provisions add an addition option of a seven-hour and three-hour split.

Ultimately, these changes all work together to give drivers greater flexibility in their scheduling. It is believed that the changes can help improve safety for drivers while boosting profitability for carriers at the same time. The new changes did not, however, include a provision allowing drivers to “stop the clock” to manage weather, traffic, and long detentions – something drivers specifically requested.

Can GPS Tracking Help You Manage these Changes?

We can help ensure you have the updates you need to be in compliance with new hours of service rules for your fleet. Contact us today here at LiveViewGPS to learn more about the specific ways our GPS fleet tracking system helps you stay on the right side of these rules as they change in 2020 in beyond.

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About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.