NTA Scores Victory in Hours-of-Service Rules Changes; Motorcoach Drivers Unaffected

April 25, 2003

NTA Scores Victory in Hours-of-Service Rules Changes; Motorcoach Drivers Unaffected
Motorcoach drivers are exempt from a newly announced change in hours-of-service rules involving interstate transportation announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The agency announced the changes, the first of their kind since 1939, on Thursday. The science-based HOS final rule will improve highway safety and help reduce the number of truck crashes and related fatalities and injuries by addressing commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue.

The National Tour Association testified before Congressional committees and FMCSA personnel three times on this issue and submitted written testimony to FMCSA in 2000. NTA was concerned that proposed changes to hours-of-service regulations would raise costs to the industry and not significantly enhance safety. FMCSA heeded industry advice and did not change motorcoach regulations.

The new rule, which does not apply to drivers of passenger-carrying motorcoaches, governs drivers transporting freight in interstate commerce in a property-carrying commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, and operating vehicles transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring vehicle placards. Carriers will operate under current hours-of-service regulations through Jan. 3, 2004.