California Amends Interstate H.O.S. Regulations

The California Highway Patrol has amended its hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for intrastate operations. Effective November 11, 2007, an intrastate truck driver may not drive more than 12 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty or for any period after the end of the 16th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

An intrastate driver of a tank vehicle with a capacity of more than 500 gallons transporting flammable liquid may not drive more than 10 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty and after the end of the 16th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The new requirements maintain 80 hour/8 day limit, but add a 34 hour restart provision.

The amendments do not apply to motor carriers and drivers engaged in interstate commerce and drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous substances or hazardous waste, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8. These drivers must comply with the federal driver hours-of-service regulations contained in 49 CFR 395, as those regulations now exist or are hereafter amended.