The INTERSTATE FEDERAL Hours of Service UPDATES:

(for those members driving across state lines)

1. Short-Haul Operations: Extends the maximum duty period to 14

hours; expands to 150 air-miles radius.

2. Adverse Driving Conditions: Extending the driving window by up to 2 hours for the adverse driving conditions allowance;

3. 30-Minute Rest Break: Modifying the 30-minute rest break requirement to take effect after 8 hours of driving time instead of 8 hours of on-duty time, and to permit satisfying the requirement while on-duty but not driving;

4. Split Sleeper-berth: Permit drivers to split the required 10-hour off-duty period into two periods: 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper-berth; and not less than 2 consecutive hours off-duty or in the sleeper-berth;

September 29, 2020.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has also proposed rules for intrastate drivers on the above specific to the 14 hours for short haul and adding 2 hours for adverse driving conditions to align its self more with the federal rules. The intrastate Hours of Service rule changes have not been officially adopted yet.

To ensure commercial drivers are able to continue to work during the COVID pandemic closures, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration permitted states drivers license offices like the Texas Department of Public Safety to extend the compliance for medical cards and federal variances (also known as limb or vision waivers) that expire from March 1, 2020 until September 30, 2020.

If you have a medical card that is expired, you may continue to use your current card until September 30, 2020. There is no word on if this will extended again.

Drivers who have an updated medical certificates can submit it to the Texas Department of Public Safety by email to CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax 512-424-2002.

September 28 & 29 is the Committee & Section Meetings, Business Basics, Social Events: Held via Zoom

September 30 is the NPGA Board of Directors Meeting held via webinar

REGISTER for Committee & Section Meetings, Business & Social Events

REGISTER for NPGA Board of Directors Meeting Webinar.

New to the industry, trying to build your propane company, or trying to grow a multi-generational business? Join Between the Bobtails, a casual Zoom-based chat on Monday, September 28 at 10 a.m. CST/11 a.m. ET with propane industry veterans who in addition to being successful propane entrepreneurs, have also been former NPGA chairman. These propane industry veterans will offer their thoughts on their careers, the challenges they have overcome, as well as the challenges and opportunities they see for the propane industry in the 21st century. This exciting session is open to all registrants for the NPGA Board of Directors Committee and Section meetings.