Haulers of certain hazmat loads granted HOS exemption

The American Trucking Associations was granted an exemption request it made in May that would grant haulers of hazardous materials an exemption from the 30-minute break required by FMCSA hours-of-service regulations.

The exemption will apply to motor carriers and their drivers that transport certain hazmat loads that require security plans, which normally require a driver to “attend” to the cargo while the truck is stopped. This is considered an on-duty activity.

Exempt drivers may now count their on-duty attendance of the hazmat cargo toward the required 30-minute break as long as they perform no other on-duty activities during this time.

The exemption will be effective for two years through Aug. 21, 2017.