During a scheduled cross-country haul, an operator encounters an unexpected highway closure caused by a sudden blizzard that developed after the trip commenced. Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service rules for property-carrying vehicles, which regulatory adjustment is permitted under the adverse driving conditions exception?
- AThe driver may extend driving time by up to 2 hours, but the 14-hour on-duty window cannot be extended under any circumstance.
- The driver may extend both the maximum driving time and the 14-hour driving window by up to 2 hours.Answer
- CThe driver may exceed the 11-hour driving limit by up to 4 hours, provided all extra driving occurs during daylight.
- DThe driver is granted complete exemption from all daily driving and on-duty limits until reaching the final destination.
Answer
The driver may extend both the maximum driving time and the 14-hour driving window by up to 2 hours.
Under 49 CFR § 395.1(b)(1), when unforeseen adverse driving conditions occur that could not have been known prior to driving, property-carrying commercial drivers may extend both their maximum allowable driving time from 11 hours to up to 13 hours and their consecutive on-duty driving window from 14 hours to up to 16 hours to safely reach a destination or secure parking.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
FMCSA Adverse Driving Conditions Exception (49 CFR § 395.1(b)(1))
Estimated Time:1m 0s