In a 138-word notice posted on its website, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Thursday morning issued the official notice that the 34-hour restart rule in place since July 1, 2013, had been suspended per the action of Congress and the signature of President Barack Obama in passing the $1.1 trillion spending bill.
Here is the text of the notice:
“FMCSA suspends enforcement of certain sections of the Agency’s Hours of Service rules as required by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, enacted December 16, 2014. Specifically, FMCSA suspends the requirements regarding the restart of a driver’s 60- or 70-hour limit that drivers were required to comply with beginning July 1, 2013.The restart provisions have no force or effect from the date of enactment of the Appropriations Act through the period of suspension, and such provisions are replaced with the previous restart provisions in effect on June 30, 2013.FMCSA provides this notice to motor carriers, commercial drivers, State Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant recipients and other law enforcement personnel of these immediate enforcement changes.
“The suspension of enforcement of § 395.3(c) and (d) is effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2014.”
The agency also provided a link to a longer notice that will appear in the Federal Register as required by the language of the spending bill. In addition to repeating the 138-word summary provided on the FMCSA website, the Federal Register notice also points out that Congress’ action only temporarily suspends, but does not rescind the restart rule, no changes are being made to the text of the final rule that was effective July 1, 2013. The suspension passed by Congress ends at midnight Sept. 30, 2015. Click here to read the Federal Register notice.
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