Approximately 3,580 drivers working for McLane subsidiary Transco Inc. will be exempt from the federal government’s 30-minute rest break rule.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted the exemption because Transco, whose drivers make wholesale deliveries to grocery and convenience stores, was able to show that it will likely achieve a level of safety “equivalent to or greater than” safety levels achieved without it.
“For the typical long-haul [commercial motor vehicle] driver, the 30-minute rest break serves as an opportunity to break the monotony of driving and relieve some of the stress of continuous driving, but Transco’s drivers currently have breaks, which include physical exercise, several times each day,” the agency stated in its ruling, published on August 27. Instead, the exemption will allow Transco drivers to comply with the 30-minute rest break requirement while performing on-duty, non-driving tasks.
The FMCSA noted that drivers for Transco use approximately 1,700 trucks, almost all of which are equipped with sleeper berths pulling 48- or 53-foot trailers. The division operates in a similar way to a short-haul trucking operation – which is also exempt from the 30-minute rest break, the company informed the agency due to its low-mileage hauls and multiple deliveries using team drivers.
Total trip times average 17.2 hours, but total driving time for both drivers averages only 9.1 hours, according to Transco’s application, with each driver spending on average 32.5 percent of his/her shift engaged in driving.
Other factors the agency found that reduce the company’s safety risk are that drivers are usually assigned to specific schedules and routes and return home at the end of every trip, and they take frequent breaks from driving to unload trucks.
The FMCSA received 10 comments on Transco’s application, which was filed in October 2018. Most were in support, including those from the International Food Distributors Association (IFDA), the Convenience Distribution Association and the National Association of Wholesale Distributors. IFDA commented that the agency should eliminate the 30-minute rest break for all short-haul drivers, or allow them to use on-duty non-driving time as a part of the proposed changes in the hours of service regulation.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters opposed Transcos request, noting that the company had not sufficiently shown that granting it will achieve the required levels of safety.
Jamieson
Warren buffet shows his big guns again!!!! Wake up stop complying
larry Troy bell
Another nice payoff /UPS doesn’t have to go through the scale houses UPS doesn’t require their drivers to have Hazmat when they carry Hazmat and going on the General Public they have no idea that diesel fuel is garbage fuel which they’ve got priced higher than any other fuel right now in turn can charge you a fortune at the grocery store which is already happening I believe Obama’s gang is still in the transportation business
Robert
Mid haul drivers need to be recognized. They have HOS for short haul and long haul , Mid haul Carriers do the same with as Mc Clane . But the real fix would be to let’s us sleep when we are tired , let it count as sleeper birth hours
Big Trucker
Hello I deliver to the same places what about the rest of us one size apparently doesn’t fit all only those with deep pockets.
Chris
Haha I worked for McClane…17 hr average route? 10 hrs work per driver? Physical activity several times a day? Ha. How about 30hr routes, first driver up whole time. 20 to 25 stops in that 30hrs. 800 miles of driving. Non stop physical activity. Only get 10hrs between routes if that… 4 or 5 routes a week…..I enjoyed my “30” minute break.
Michael Fisher
This is great news, I drive for McLane and have said for years how the required 30 minute break was a waste of time. As far as the
Teamsters are concerned they can pound sand, I was a Teamster for 21 years and the union has squandered my pension. I imagine if Transco was a union job the Teamsters wouldn’t bat an eye
Bobby Andrews
That 30 break is to much for me.. wish it could go back to the way it was…
Amadou Aliou Sane
Bonjour
Je m’appelle Amadou Aliou Sane je suis sénégalais et je vie actuellement au Sénégal je cherche du travail comme chauffeur tout catégorique j’ai un permis de conduite transport en commun .
Amadou Aliou Sane
Bonjour
Je m’appelle Amadou Aliou Sane je suis sénégalais et je vie actuellement au Sénégal je cherche du travail comme chauffeur tout catégorique j’ai un permis de conduite transport en commun .