Hours of service - Alabama

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Public Safety has adopted Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), including all future amendments. Under Public Service Commission regulations, the driving limits are the same as prescribed in the FMCSRs.

Under the Department of Public Safety adoption, Part 395 applies to intrastate commercial motor vehicles 26,001 pounds or more, or vehicles of any size which transport a placardable amount of hazardous materials.

Under the Department of Public Safety adoption of 395.1(k), the state’s planting and harvesting season is April 1 of each calendar year to March 31 of the next succeeding calendar year.

Under Public Service Commission regulations, the driving limits are the same as prescribed in the Federal Regulations. Log requirements are also the same, except for retention requirements. The log is to be retained by the carrier for 12 months from date of receipt. The driver is to retain a copy of each daily log for 30 days which shall be in the driver's possession while on duty.

Exception: Drivers of commercial motor vehicles operating within a 75 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location are limited to 12 hours of driving time and 15 on-duty hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Driving is not permitted after being on duty 70 hours in 7 consecutive days.

Motor carriers that use this exception must have a satisfactory rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or be unrated. Drivers using this exception must comply with the record of duty status requirements in 395.8 and must retain and have available for inspection a copy of each record of duty status for the previous seven consecutive days.