Tag: DOT

DOT-FMCSA Updates to Drug Screening

Bob Holtzman

On June 5, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a Grant of Waiver regarding drug screening for truckers. This was done in response to furloughed truck drivers who found themselves out of work due to the coronavirus’s spread, which caused significant disruption to the industry and the employees it served.

As trucking employers begin to recall drivers who were laid off or otherwise not working for the company for more than 30 days, the cost and logistical barriers of testing many truck drivers in a short window of time are high FMCSA explained. This comes at a time when the trucking industry is facing economic challenges like never before.

This problem is further complicated by the reduced availability of controlled substances testing resources due to facility closures that continue to occur on account of the spread of COVID-19.

Granting an Extension

The FMCSA also noted that the waiver would extend from 30 days to 90 days, a period of time which drivers would qualify for the pre-employment testing exception currently held under 49 CFR 382.301(b). This would help employers out by allowing drivers to forego pre-employment testing who have participated in a controlled substance testing program that meets the requirements of 49 CFR within the previous 90 days of hire.

Allowing employers to push back pre-employment drug testing for drivers who were already tested within the previous 90 days will let employers see relief in the administrative burdens and costs related to administering tests. In turn, trucking companies can allow their drivers to get back on the road in a shorter time, thus promoting job growth and economic progress.

Moving Forward

The FMCSA’s waiver clarifies that it doesn’t change any of the remaining controlled substance and alcohol use testing requirements for a truck driver who performs safety-sensitive functions. Additionally, the motor carrier employers subject to the FMCSA waiver have instant and free access to driver-specific drug and alcohol violation information through the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

The waiver applies to both re-hires and new hires as long as they were in a program in the past 90 days. This is a reasonable response to the pandemic still making its way through the United States, affecting the commercial trucking industry, and the subsequent return to work process the country is experiencing.

About Western Truck Insurance Services


Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck, and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more!

DOT Promotes Flexibility in Trucking Hours to Maintain Trucker Safety

Bob Holtzman

In a recently released memo, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) detailed final rules updating the hours of service to increase safety on roadways by updating existing regulations for commercial truck drivers.

The need for this change has come about due to the disruption in the nation’s trucking supply chain as a result of COVID-19. The outbreak of the virus this last spring upended everything from logistics to international shipping, which then trickled down to trucking companies, altering their service hours. In turn, this increased demand has affected trucker’s overall safety.

The solution from the FMCSA was implemented to bring more flexibility to new hours of operation, thus encouraging more rest and support for truck drivers.

Hours of Service Rules: A Closer Look

First adopted in 1937, FMCSA’s hours of service rules specify the permitted hours of operation for commercial truck drivers. In 2018, FMCSA penned an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to receive public comments on the HOS rules to limit unnecessary burdens placed on truck drivers while upholding Trucker safety on highways and roads. In 2019, the Agency published a detailed proposed rule which received plenty of public commentary.

Based on these comments and input, FMCSA’s final rule on hours of service offers some revisions to the existing rules.

First, the FMCSA will increase safety and flexibility for the 30-minute break rule by requiring a break after eight hours of consecutive driving and allowing the break to be satisfied by a driver using on-duty, not driving status, rather than off-duty status.

Secondly, the FMCSA will modify the sleeper-berth exception to allow truck drivers to split their required 10 hours of off duty time into two periods. Also, the FMCSA will modify the adverse driving conditions exception by extending the maximum window of time during which truck driving is allowed by two hours.

Lastly, the FMCSA will change the short-haul exception available to certain commercial drivers by lengthening the truck drivers’ maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours and extending the distance limit within which the truck driver may work from 100 air miles to 150 air miles.

This change in hours of service rules is estimated to provide nearly $274 million in cost savings on an annual basis for the U.S. economy and American consumers. The trucking industry, although it has seen some disruption in recent years due to fewer available drivers and automation in driving technology, is still a major component of the national economy. The industry employs more than seven million people and moves nearly 75% of the nation’s domestic freight.

Since the onset of COVID-19, truck drivers have played a key role in getting the country through by driving supplies from state to state. FMCSA has provided relief to commercial truck drivers to get medical supplies, food, and household goods to Americans in need during these unprecedented times.

About Western Truck Insurance Services
Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more!