February 21, 2008: The next round in the fight over drivers’ hours of service rules is likely to come at the end of 2008 or in January 2009, before the Bush administration leaves office. That will be when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will likely issue their final rule to try to maintain the 11-hour drive time and 34-hour restart provision.

A change in federal administration could mean a change in policy on the controversial move to extend driving time.

Those rules have twice been overturned in court, in 2004 and again in 2007, thanks to action taken by Public Citizen. It is expected that Public Citizen will challenge the rule again, at the same Court of Appeals.

Until then, Teamsters and all DOT-regulated drivers will continue to work under the “interim” rules that retain the 11-hour drive time and 34-hour restart.