Colorado Truckers Want 60+ Hour Weeks—FMCSA Wants Your Take!
Published Date: 3/28/2025
Notice
Summary
Colorado Huntsman Transport wants a special okay to skip some truck marking rules and drive more than 60 hours in 7 days. This affects their truck drivers and could change how long they’re allowed to work each week. The government is asking for your thoughts by April 28, 2025, before deciding if this change can happen.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Request to Allow 80 Hours On-Duty in 7 Days
Huntsman Transport applied for an exemption to let its employees accumulate up to 80 hours of on‑duty time in a 7‑day period (Sunday through Saturday) before driving is prohibited. This would be instead of the current limits referenced in 49 CFR 395.5(b) (60 hours in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days for carriers that operate every day). The application is under review and FMCSA is taking comments through April 28, 2025.
Applicant’s Proposed Alternative Driver Safety Rules
As part of its exemption request, Huntsman proposes specific operational limits: two agents on inmate transports longer than two days; encouragement to switch driving every 3–5 hours; no more than 8 hours driving individually per day; at least 8 hours off duty in a hotel; limits on weeks driven (no more than 3 weeks in any 4‑week month or 4 weeks in any 5‑week month); and normally a two‑week driving schedule with a week off, yielding up to 16 weeks off per year before using paid time off. The company says these measures will reduce fatigue and maintain safety.
Applicant Says Denial Would Raise Costs for Partners and Taxpayers
Huntsman states that if the exemption is not granted, law enforcement partners, transport partners, and taxpayers who pay for these services would face a greater burden and increased expenses. The applicant says this growth of expenses would strain its business budget and make it difficult to pay essential operating costs.
Request to Operate Unmarked Vehicles
Huntsman Transport applied for an exemption from the vehicle marking requirement in 49 CFR 390.21 so its commercial motor vehicles would not have to display the carrier legal name or USDOT number. The company says the requested waiver is because its prisoner-transport work is sensitive and marked vehicles could invite interference with routes.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-20325, Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration
The FMCSA is extending emergency relief from 14 days to 30 days after a state or FMCSA declares a regional emergency. This change helps truck drivers and companies get more time to respond during emergencies without extra paperwork. The new rule kicks in on October 5, 2026, and anyone wanting to challenge it must act by November 4, 2026.
2026-20048, Hours of Service of Drivers; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal for Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC
The FMCSA is giving Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC a temporary green light to let their truck drivers work longer shifts—up to 16 hours straight—when moving steel coils and scrap metal between company sites. They’re also allowed to keep using special trucks that don’t meet some usual safety rules, but only for steel coil hauling. This exemption runs from late September 2026 to March 2027, and the public can share their thoughts by the end of October.
2026-20046, Commercial Driver's License Standards: Application for Exemption; Agri-Tech Aviation
The FMCSA said no to Agri-Tech Aviation’s request to let learner drivers operate commercial vehicles alone before getting their full license. They found it wouldn’t be as safe as current rules require. This means learner drivers still need a fully licensed driver riding shotgun, keeping roads safer for everyone.
2026-20043, Electronic Logging Device Requirements: Application for Exemption; Federation of Professional Truckers
The Federation of Professional Truckers asked to skip using electronic logging devices (ELDs) and keep paper logs instead. The government said no because ELDs keep everyone safer on the road. Truck drivers still need to use ELDs, so no changes or extra costs for now.
2026-19809, Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Hearing
The FMCSA is renewing special permissions for 18 hard of hearing and deaf drivers, letting them keep driving big trucks across state lines. These renewals keep the roads open for skilled drivers who don’t meet the usual hearing rules. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until October 28, 2026, to speak up—no extra costs or changes for drivers, just continued chances to drive!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05360, Agency Forms Submitted for OMB Review, Request for Comments
The Railroad Retirement Board is asking for public feedback on forms used to apply for Medicare benefits and prove health coverage. They want to make sure the forms are clear, useful, and not too much work to fill out. If you’re a railroad worker or family member applying for Medicare, these changes could affect how you submit your info, so get your comments in within 30 days!
Next: 2025-05363, Environmental Impact Statements; Notice of Availability
The EPA just shared new Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for public review, including a big redevelopment project in New York. If you live near these projects or care about the environment, now’s the time to check them out and share your thoughts before deadlines, like May 12, 2025. These reviews help make sure projects don’t harm our air, water, or land—and they keep everyone in the loop without costing a dime to participate!