Truck drivers may be on the road up to 11 hours daily but must take a minimum break of at least 30 minutes after eight hours under a new rule issued by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The “hours of service” rule covering commercial motor vehicles has been debated for more than a decade. The Department of Transportation reduced the maximum number of hours a driver can work during the week from 82 to 70. The requirement that there be a 34-hour rest period between the end of one week and the start of another remains unchanged. The new rule takes effect on July 1, 2013.

Although the rule is generally associated with long-haul carriers, any manufacturer, distributor or retailer may be impacted if shipping schedules or transportation costs are adjusted as a result of the new rule.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.