WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 31, 1999) — U.S. hours-of-service reforms will be based on a 24-hour clock, divided into 14 hours on-duty and 10 hours off, according to a source close to the development of the new regulations.

Proposed new rules could be sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget in September, and clearance for publication in the Federal Register could come within two months, the source said.

The basis of the proposal contradicts a story that ran in USA Today reporting that the U.S. Federal Highway Administration was going to propose a 14-hour off-duty requirement as part of its daily duty cycle. Officials in and outside of government said they were besieged by calls from truckers: a 14-hour off-duty requirement would put them out of business.

In Canada, work on hours-of-service reforms has centred on a 24-hour daily clock, with 14 hours on duty with no distinction of driving time followed by 10 hours off duty.

More unofficial details from the U.S. proposal: drivers would get two hours of break time during their 14 hours on-duty, to be taken at the driver’s discretion. Also, the proposal may include different rules for different kinds of trucking operations. For example, long-haul drivers who are on the road for several nights would get additional time off.