���ϳԹ���

Federal regulators are considering a limited exemption for two narrow categories of truckers from the new federal hours-of-service provision that requires most truck drivers to take a half-hour rest break during long shifts.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration refused last week to make changes to a regulatory guidance document it published last year allowing some specialty truck drivers at oil and gas exploration sites to extend their workdays.

The chief adversaries in the nearly 17-year battle over federal work rules for commercial drivers agreed that the recent appeals court decision upholding most of the government’s latest regulation closes the book on the overhaul of the so-called hours-of-service rule, which had not changed significantly in 57 years.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration asked the public Monday to weigh in on whether it should grant a permanent exemption to the rest-break requirement in the new hours-of-service rule to truckers hauling livestock.

A federal appeals court upheld most of the government’s hours-of-service rule for commercial drivers, seemingly closing the latest chapter in the long-running debate over the work rules that govern trucking operations.

Truck drivers do not have to take a 30-minute break under federal hours-of-service rules if they meet either of the definitions of a “shorthaul” driver, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced.

House Republicans on Wednesday delayed consideration a $44 billion bill to fund transportation and housing programs before four congressmen could introduce their proposed amendment to block the federal government’s new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers.

Four congressmen said they will introduce an amendment soon to temporarily block the federal government’s new hours-of-service rule for truck drivers, saying the rule would cost the trucking industry hundreds of millions of dollars if it is not stopped.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has ordered a trucking company to reinstate a driver and repay him more than $131,000 for allegedly firing him for refusing to drive longer than allowed by law.