When were HOS rules first introduced, and how have they evolved?

HOS regulations were first introduced in 1938 by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Key milestones include:

• 1938: Initial rules limited driving to 10 hours per day with 8 hours off-duty.

• 1962: The driving limit increased to 10 hours within a 15-hour workday, but weekly limits were introduced.

• 2003: FMCSA updated rules to include 11 hours of driving and a 34-hour restart provision.

• 2011: Added requirements for 30-minute breaks and adjusted restart provisions.

• 2020: Revised rules to provide flexibility, such as changes to split sleeper berth and short-haul exceptions.

These updates reflect advancements in safety research and industry needs while maintaining the goal of reducing fatigue.