Speaking before the Mid-Atlantic Truck Show on March 31, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced reforms to the regulations governing hours of service for truck drivers are under review by the White House.
Chao noted, though, that the content and release date of the proposed changes are unknown at this time.
She added the proposed rulemaking was in response to concerns from trucking organizations, like the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, which argued that more flexibility is needed.
The water well drilling industry is not currently subject to the hours-of-service regulations that other drivers of commercial motor vehicles are required to follow because of the unique nature of water well drilling operations vs. traditional long-haul truckers.
Once the proposed rulemaking is released, NGWA will review it and, if necessary, work with its members to provide comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.