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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationÌýannounced March 29 that it hasÌýextendedÌýan hours-of-service exemption to the Oregon Trucking Association for certain timber operations from March 18, 2017, to March 18, 2020.ÌýÌý

The agency’s decision, in the wake of a FAST Act requirement, exempts certainÌýcommercial motor vehicle driversÌýengaged in interstate logging originating in Oregon forestlands from the 30-minute rest break provision.ÌýIt appliesÌýto those periods whenÌýthe state’s Department of Forestry has restricted the transportation of logsÌýbecause of an elevated risk of forest fire.

FMCSA concluded that limiting those drivers to a fixed 12-hour window would promote safety at least as effectively as the 30-minute break. The agency also noted that these drivers are similar to certain shorthaul drivers who are permitted to follow a 12-hour duty period during which they are exempt from the rest break requirement.Ìý