Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Feb. 3, 2020:
Comment period opens Tuesday for entry-level driver training rule delay
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s decision to delay for two years its rule establishing training standards for entry-level truck drivers will appear in the Federal Register and open for comment Tuesday, Feb. 4.
As reported last week, the rule was set to take effect Feb. 7, 2020. It has now been delayed until Feb. 7, 2022. The agency said the delay is needed to further build out the needed IT infrastructure.
The comment period will be open for 45 days. Comments can be made at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2007-27748 once the notice appears in the Federal Register Tuesday.
Fleet requests extension of split sleeper berth waiver
McKee Foods Transportation, the private fleet of the maker of Little Debbie and other snack foods, is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an extension of a waiver allowing its team drivers to split their sleeper berth time into two periods totaling 10 hours.
FMCSA first granted the waiver in 2015, and it is set to expire March 27, 2020. Under terms of the waiver, McKee’s team drivers have been able to split their 10-hour sleeper berth time into two periods, as long as neither period is shorter than three hours.
The agency is accepting public comments on the extension request here through March 2.
Kenworth Mid Atlantic opened a new location in Westminster, Maryland.Kenworth Mid Atlantic adds new location
Kenworth Mid Atlantic has expanded its footprint in Maryland with a full-service location in Westminster, a 17,400-square-foot facility with a full parts and service department and 10 service bays.
The property sits on 3 acres with ample parking at 821 Baltimore Blvd. in Westminster. Hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Kenworth Mid Atlantic also operates a Kenworth dealership in Baltimore.
