Long-haul bus drivers are subject to strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations designed to keep passengers and motorists safe. FMSCA rules govern the bus driver’s hours of service (HOS) and use of smart phones while driving.
FMCSA’s HOS rules establish safe driving and working times for long-haul bus drivers, including:
- Limiting drive time to 10 hours
- Not allowing drivers to drive past the 15th hour after coming on duty
- Limiting a seven-day workweek to 60 hours of drive time and an eight-day workweek to 70 hours of drive time
- Requiring a driver who sleeps onboard the bus to remain in the sleeper berth for at least eight hours
FMCSA’s cell phone use and texting laws set strict provisions to protect bus passengers and motorists from distracted bus drivers. Violation of these rules can cost the driver up to $2,750 in fines and disqualification of commercial vehicle driving privileges. The driver’s employer is subject to up to $11,000 in fines. Whereas bus drivers are permitted to use hands-free means, under the hands-free ban, they are not allowed to:
- Hold a mobile phone in her or his hand while driving
- Make or terminate a call by pressing more than a single button
- Move out of a restrained, seated position to retrieve or answer a phone
- Write, send or read a text message
- Search the Internet
- Facebook, Tweet, Instagram or conduct other social media activity