On June 1, 2020, FMCSA revised the hours of service (HOS) regulations to provide greater flexibility for drivers without adversely affecting safety. Motor carriers are required to comply with the new HOS regulations starting on September 29, 2020, not before.
What is Changing?
1. Short-haul Exception
Expands the short-haul exception to 150 air-miles and allows a 14-hour work shift to take place as part of the exception.
2. Adverse Driving Conditions Exception
Expands the driving window during adverse driving conditions by up to an additional 2 hours.
3. 30-Minute Break Requirement
Requires a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break.
4. Sleeper Berth Provision
Modifies the sleeper berth exception to allow a driver to meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7, rather than at least 8 hours of that period in the berth and a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours, and that neither qualify period counts against the 14-hour driving window.
To learn more about the final rule, please visit: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
The Department of Transportation (DOT) Special Permit DOT-SP 11329, first granted to Degesch America, Inc. in 2005 was scheduled to expire on April 30, 2019. Degesch America, Inc. applied for the renewal of the Special Permit in January, and we are pleased to report, the application has been approved. Under the terms of the Special Permit, operators transporting our products, Phostoxin®, Magtoxin®, Fumitoxin® and Detiaphos® are exempt from specific DOT regulations under certain conditions.
Gafta (The Grain and Feed Trade Association) is the international Association representing the trade and supply of agricultural commodities, animal feed materials, pulses, rice, spices and general produce worldwide. The Gafta Standard is an independently audited scheme designed to maintain and improve the level of competence of activities related to the trade of agricultural commodities, animal feed materials, pulses, rice, spices and general produce worldwide.