Imagine life as a long-haul trucker—navigating between cities and rural towns around the clock, where every minute behind the wheel impacts earnings and every regulation shapes daily existence. Now, pending changes to trucking regulations could either ease or exacerbate challenges for America's 3.5 million commercial drivers.
The Long-Awaited HOS Modernization
Following two years of public consultation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is preparing adjustments to Hours of Service (HOS) rules—a move viewed as a much-needed modernization of regulations criticized during the Obama administration as overly restrictive.
Five Key Changes to HOS Rules
The proposed revisions focus on five critical areas:
1. Flexible Mandatory Breaks: Current rules require 30-minute breaks after eight consecutive driving hours. New provisions may offer scheduling flexibility.
2. Split Sleeper Berth Time: Allows drivers to divide rest periods, better accommodating long-haul fatigue management.
3. 30-Minute Off-Duty Breaks: Permits one non-working break during 14-hour shifts for mental recovery.
4. Weather Accommodations: Grants operational flexibility during hazardous conditions.
5. Short-Haul Exceptions: Adjusts rules for local delivery drivers to better match operational realities.
The Mileage-Income Dilemma
With most truckers paid by the mile rather than hourly, any reduction in drive time directly impacts earnings. Logistics Management reports over 700,000 registered carriers nationwide, requiring regulators to balance public safety with industry economics—a complex task given trucking's thin profit margins.
Safety Remains Paramount
Industry leaders contest notions of trucking being "deregulated." Werner Enterprises CEO Derek Leathers notes it remains one of America's most regulated industries—particularly regarding safety and environmental standards. FMCSA's Kyle Bonini emphasizes safety remains the non-negotiable priority in rulemaking.
Bankruptcy Wave Hits Trucking Sector
2019 has seen more trucking bankruptcies than any year since 2014—double 2018's total. Notable closures include New England Motor Freight (February), Falcon Transport (April), and HVH Transportation (August). Analysts attribute many failures to overreliance on volatile spot markets rather than contracted rates.
Streamlining CDL Requirements
Beyond HOS changes, FMCSA proposes simplifying Commercial Driver's License acquisition—a move Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao says reduces unnecessary employment barriers. A 2018 rule change already saved $18 million annually by easing CDL upgrade requirements.
The Speed Limiter Debate
Though unlikely for immediate passage, bipartisan legislation proposes capping truck speeds at 65-68 mph. Supporters cite safety benefits (potentially saving 63-214 lives annually), while opponents warn "split speed limits" between trucks and cars could increase rear-end collisions. Industry leaders prefer incentivizing advanced safety technologies like automatic braking systems over blanket speed restrictions.