Sr. Transportation Safety Editor — J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Could your drivers be completely exempt from the 30-minute break? Learn more about the September 2020 hours-of-service rule change.
Written by:
Daren Hansen
Sr. Transportation Safety Editor — J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Over the years, many truck drivers have been exempted from the need to go off duty for their 30-minute breaks. Typically, these were drivers carrying sensitive cargo — explosives, fuel, asphalt, concrete, etc. — which require constant “on duty” attendance.
With the September 2020 rule change, all interstate truck drivers can remain on duty for their breaks, making those special exemptions obsolete.
Some drivers, however, will continue to enjoy a complete exemption from needing any 30-minute breaks at all. Do you have drivers who qualify?
The following exemptions from the 30-minute break requirement are in place, even after the September 2020 rules went into effect. That is, these drivers will not be in violation if they continue to drive after 8 hours of driving:
The Encompass® ELD app makes compliance with hours of service easier for your drivers, mechanics, and other employees with exempt driving rulesets and quick ELog annotation entry to document exceptions that impact their record of duty status. Talk with a compliance specialist today about the Encompass® ELD app. Learn more.
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