As previously reported in EmployNews in July, a federal appellate court in Washington, D.C. struck down the Department of Transportation’s hours of service rules for drivers of commercial motor vehicles.  The court initially gave DOT until September to revert to hours restrictions in place before the new rules became effective in 2005.

Late last month, the court agreed to allow the current hours of service rules to remain in effect through the end of 2007.  DOT had requested a 12-month extension of the current rules in order to allow employers to switch back to the old rules, and to train drivers and supervisors on their requirements.

DOT has not officially reacted to the court’s latest ruling.  The agency could use the extension granted to issue interim regulations advising carriers how to respond to the court’s decision, and setting forth requirements for hours of service.  Presumably, these rules will reduce the current eleven hour shift and 70 hour per week working limits, while reverting to the shorter breaks between shifts in place before 2005.