FMCSA Issues HOS Exemptions

On May 31, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued two separate exemptions from hours of service (HOS) requirements.  First, FMCSA granted the Department of Energy's request for an exemption from the minimum 30-minute break requirement, allowing employee-drivers engaged in the transportation of security-sensitive radioactive materials to use 30 minutes or more of ''attendance time'' to meet the HOS rest break requirements, so long as they do not perform any other work during the break. The exemption is effective from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015.  The agency also granted an exemption request from Trailways Companies. Under the exemption, which applies to all regular-route passenger carriers and their drivers, drivers are exempt from the HOS record of duty status requirement to enter a change in duty status on the daily log for breaks in driving time of 10 minutes or less, specifically for the purpose of picking up or dropping off passengers, baggage, or small express packages. This exemption is effective from May 31, 2013 to May 31, 2015.