Now it’s really official.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today (Dec. 22) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the suspension of enforcement of the two hours-of-service provisions rolled back by the 2015 appropriations act passed by Congress and signed by the president last week.
The rule suspension became effective when the upon the president signed is last Tuesday. But, the wording of the law required the agency to post today’s.
At least until Sept. 30, 2015, drivers may abide by pre-2013 restart rules, meaning a 34-hour restart does not have to include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods. The once-a-week limit has also been removed.
The law also requires FMCSA to perform a study of the rules and their effects on drivers, carriers and safety before they can go back into effect.
After the agency reports to Congress — and concludes that the 2013 rules enhance safety — they may go back into effect. FMCSA says in its notice that it will issue another notice once the rules “regain their legal force and effect.”
