NGA Supports Modernization of Hours of Service Rules

May 14, 2020

Arlington, VA – The National Grocers Association (NGA) today applauded an announcement by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the publication of final Hours of Service (HoS) rule for commercial motor vehicle drivers. The proposed rule, published in detail in August 2019, received over 2,800 comments.

“Commercial vehicle drivers are an essential part of our food supply chain and the independent grocery industry,” said NGA Director of Government Relations Robert Yeakel. “The final rule serves to both maintain the safety of our roads and highways and protect commercial drivers, while also allowing for additional flexibilities to let drivers get the job done.”

The four key revisions included in the final HoS rule modernize the regulations while protecting drivers by preventing operators from driving for more than eight consecutive hours without a break.

About NGA

The National Grocers Association (NGA) is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for close to one percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating $131 billion in sales, 944,000 jobs, $30 billion in wages, and $27 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers, state grocers associations, as well as manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.