FMCSA Publishes Revisions to HOS Information Collection
On Friday, September 12, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published in the Federal Register a notice and request for comment, regarding a reduction in the burden hours based on two program adjustments under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The program adjustments are:
(1) A lower estimate of the number of CMV drivers who are subject to the HOS rules; and
(2) An estimate of the burden reduction experienced by those CMV drivers voluntarily using electronic HOS technology.
First, the Agency reduces its estimate of the number of drivers subject to the HOS recordkeeping requirements from 4.6 million to 2.84 million. Second, FMCSA estimates that 10% of drivers currently are obtaining burden reductions because they use electronic HOS technology. The HOS rules require most commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to maintain on the CMV a record of duty status (RODS) current to the last change in duty status. The RODS is critical to FMCSA's safety mission because it helps roadside enforcement officials determine if CMV drivers are complying with the HOS rules limiting driver on-duty and driving time and requiring periodic off-duty time. The information helps FMCSA protect the public by reducing the number of tired CMV drivers on the highways.
The Agency specifically seeks comments on the following aspects of the proposal:
(1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FMCSA to perform its functions;
(2) The accuracy of the estimated burden;
(3) Ways for the FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and
(4) Ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information.
To view the entire notice, click HERE.
