The ruling by the District of Columbia Court was in response to a petition filed by Public Citizen, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and a number of others. The organizations asked the Court to reinstate two Hours of Service (HOS) provisions that had been invalidated in an Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published in mid-December.
The ruling means that truck drivers will be limited to driving 11 hours in a 14-hour duty period and then be off duty for at least 10 hours. Drivers will also be allowed to restart cumulative on-duty limits after 34 consecutive hours off-duty.
Those filing against the IFR had further asked the Court to direct the FMCSA to issue rules that would limit drivers to a 10-hour consecutive driving limit and to 60- and 70 hour on-duty limits with no 34-hour restart.
Among others filing against the Public Citizen motion was American Trucking Associations. The Association was pleased with the Court decision in that it would avoid industry disruptions, among other matters.
The IFR controversy has not been laid to rest however. Comments on it may still be filed by February 15.
