New Hours of Service Rules

September 25, 2020

To our drivers:

Effective September 29, 2020, new hours of service will be implemented.

The four rules that are changing are: 

  • The 100-air-mile exception (Air mile exception is not applicable and is not permitted to be used by Bison USA Drivers) 
  • The 30-minute rest break rule
  • The sleeper-berth provisions
  • The exception for adverse driving conditions (Bison USA Drivers are required to obtain approval from the Safety Dept prior to using the adverse driving conditions exception)
30 Minute Rest Break

Current/Old Rules

  • A 30-minute rest break is required after 8 consecutive hours on the clock if the Driver will continue to drive a CMV
  • Drivers must be off duty and/or in a sleeper berth for their breaks

New Rules

  • A 30-minute break from driving is required after accumulating 8 hours of driving time if the Driver will continue to drive a CMV
  • Drivers may remain on duty (not driving) for their breaks
Sleeper-Berth Provisions

Current/Old Rules

  • To get a ‘split’ break, Drivers must spend at least 8 consecutive hours in a sleeper berth, plus another rest break of at least 2 hours, to reach 10 hours total
  • The shorter break counts against the 14-hour limit
  • To get 10 consecutive hours of rest in a moving vehicle, a Driver may ride in the passenger seat for up to 2 hours after spending at least 8 hours in the sleeper

New Rules

  • To get a ‘split’ break, Drivers must spend at least 7 consecutive hours in a sleeper berth, plus another rest break of at least 3 hours, to reach 10 hours total
  • Neither rest period counts against the 14-hour limit
  • To get 10 consecutive hours of rest in a moving vehicle, a Driver may ride in the passenger seat for up to 3 hours after spending at least 7 hours in the sleeper
Adverse Driving Conditions

Current/Old Rule

  • Drivers may extend their driving limit, but not their on-duty limit, by 2 hours

New Rule

  • Drivers may extend their driving and on-duty limits by 2 hours

If you have questions regarding any of the upcoming changes, contact Cliff or Hannah in the Safety Department.

You can also review the changes on the FMCSA’s website.

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