New Rule on Truckers' Hours of Service
During a recent truck show event, the secretary of USDOT, Elaine Chao, stated that a new rule dealing with
hours of service for commercial truckers, is currently in the White House Office of Management and Budget
awaiting review and approval. Secretary Chao didn't mention specific changes that will be in the new rule.
However, she said that "the department understands the strong interest in increasing flexibility and is giving it
serious consideration." Since 2004, truckers have been complaining about the 14-hour clock rule which prevents
motor carrier drivers from driving more than 14 hours a day. Also, the 2004 rule basically eliminated the use of splitting rest. Splitting rest is a type of shift that is split into two or more parts during the work day. When
splitting rest was used, shipping delays were less frequent then they are now. Many believe that since electronic
logging devices were required for all drivers, federal regulators have used them to get some public justification.
