Another Request for Exemption From Half-hour Break Requirement

The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SCRA) has submitted an application for exemption to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for an exemption from the 30-minute break requirement under the federal HOS regulations for drivers operating under permit loads (oversize/overweight).

The SCRA petition cites many complications for drivers of permit loads from being able to comply with the break requirement such as; lost productivity during shorter winter days because of sunrise-to-sunset operational restrictions, inadequate truck parking to simply “pull-over” with a permit load, to the loss of police escort and even permits expiring before being able to leave a jurisdiction.

The CCTA will be supplying written comments to FMCSA supportive of the SCRA application. We have previously supplied supportive comments on behalf of National Ready Mixed Concrete Association for an exemption requests from the half-hour break requirement. FMCSA has received about a half dozen requests for exemption and has thus far granted three requests to; drivers of specific DoD loads hauling arms, ammunition, and explosives, certain livestock haulers, and drivers of loads requiring “constant surveillance” in accordance with hazmat regulations.

Exemption requests go through a public comment period and FMCSA will “supposedly” take public comments under advisement when evaluating a request. If you would like to assist us with pertinent information regarding compliance with the half-hour break requirement while under a permit load, please contact Joe Rajkovacz in the office (909-982-9898). He will be crafting CCTA’s response which is due on Dec. 24, 2014.