FMCSA Seeks Public Comment on Trucking Company's Hours of Service Exemption

You might care about this because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is asking for public comments on a special request from CCS Transportation, Inc. CCS wants an exemption from the rules about how long truck drivers can drive. Currently, any time a commercial motor vehicle is driven on a public road, even for a very short distance, it counts as "driving time" and takes away from a driver's available hours. CCS operates two facilities in Conway, Arkansas, that are just 1.3 miles apart. Their drivers often move trucks between these two locations on local public roads at low speeds. CCS wants these specific, short movements to be recorded as "on-duty (not driving) yard moves" on their electronic logging devices. This is usually how movements on private property are logged. CCS argues that logging these brief transfers as driving time is inaccurate, wastes driver hours, and creates unnecessary administrative work without improving safety. They believe their proposal will not harm safety. They say these movements happen at low speeds, on a set route, with experienced drivers, and under a strict company safety plan. The FMCSA must consider public input before deciding whether to grant or deny this exemption. This document is particularly interesting because it shows how specific business operations can run into challenges with broad federal regulations. The core issue is how to classify very short, low-speed truck movements on public roads when they are essentially part of a company's internal yard operations. The FMCSA's rules define "driving time" broadly, making no special exception for these unique situations. CCS is arguing that the intent of the hours-of-service rules is to prevent fatigue during long-haul driving, not to penalize short, controlled transfers. If granted, this exemption could set a precedent for other trucking companies with similar operational setups. It shows how the FMCSA balances strict safety regulations with practical business needs, especially when technology like electronic logging devices can track driver activities very precisely. The agency's decision will show how flexible it can be in applying rules to specific, low-risk scenarios while keeping safety as the main priority. Many groups would be interested in this legal document. Trucking companies, especially those with multiple facilities close to each other, will find this directly relevant. If CCS gets this exemption, it could open the door for similar requests from other carriers facing the same operational inefficiencies. Commercial truck drivers, particularly those who perform these types of yard-like movements, would be interested in how this affects their logged hours and daily schedules. Safety advocates and organizations that monitor commercial vehicle operations will want to comment on the potential safety implications of changing how "driving time" is recorded. Logistics managers and fleet operators will also pay close attention to understand how federal regulations are applied and if there are opportunities to streamline operations without compromising compliance. Finally, legal professionals specializing in transportation law and regulatory compliance will find this case important for understanding the scope and interpretation of federal trucking rules.