USDOT Denies Hours of Service Exemption Request for Livestock Haulers
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) denied an application from the Livestock Marketing Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and other groups for an hours of service (HOS) rule exemption.
FMCSA first published the request for an exemption in February 2019, on behalf of drivers who transport livestock, insects and aquatic animals.
Applicants requested approval for drivers, after 10 consecutive hours off duty, to drive through the 16th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and to drive a total of 15 hours during that 16-hour period.
Farm groups say it doesn’t take into consideration the well-being of the animals being transported and will put a burden on producers.
"We’ve been operating with this extended relief for the last few years and being able to have that flexibility to determine how we want to ship cattle and what the best time is not only given the weather conditions and road conditions but also you know taking all that into consideration the livelihood of the livestock we’re in charge of," says Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
FMCSA's Response
After analyzing the application and public comments, FMCSA decided the exemption would not achieve a level of safety equal to the level achieved without such an exemption.
"Research studies demonstrate that long work hours reduce sleep and harm driver health, and that crash risk increases with work hours. The HOS regulations impose limits on when and how long an individual may drive, to ensure that drivers stay awake and alert, and to reduce the possibility of cumulative fatigue. As stated by opponents of the exemption, livestock haulers have been required to operate within the confines of the HOS regulations for over 80 years," FMCSA explained in the Federal Register.
The HOS rule limits truckers to 11 hours of driving time and 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time in any 24-hour period, and requires prescribed rest periods.
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DOT Denies Hours of Service Exemption for Livestock: Puts Burden on Cattle Producers
