Adverse Driving Conditions Information
! It is important that drivers, dispatchers, and managers understand the criteria before using the exception. If you (or your company admin) are unsure if you "qualify" to use this, you should be reaching out to DOT/ FMCSA or your admin.
Treacherous weather, accidents, and other unexpected issues can cause a commercial driver to get behind schedule. Some drivers may be able to take advantage of the “adverse driving conditions” exception to extend their day, but it is not automatically available to all drivers in all situations.
What does the regulation state?
Section 395.1(b) lays out the criteria that must be met in order to use the exception.
- First, let’s look at what events qualify. “Adverse driving conditions” include snow, sleet, fog, other adverse weather conditions, or unusual road and traffic conditions, which were not apparent to the driver immediately before starting work or immediately before driving after a qualifying rest break, or to a motor carrier immediately prior to dispatching the driver.
- Next, a driver who encounters “adverse driving conditions” — and as a result of those conditions cannot complete a run in the maximum time allowed — may drive up to an additional two hours to complete the run or find a safe place to stop. However, drivers are subject to specific limits when using the exception.
Property-carrying vehicles
The driver of a property-carrying vehicle who encounters adverse conditions may not drive:
- More than 13 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty,
- After having been on duty after the end of the 16th hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, or
- If more than 8 hours of driving have been completed without at least 30 consecutive minutes away from driving.
Passenger-carrying vehicles
The driver of a passenger-carrying vehicle who encounters adverse conditions may not drive:
- More than 12 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, or
- After he/she has been on duty 17 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
What you will see in Encompass ELD
If the driver goes past their 11 hours of driving or 14 hours on duty, the clocks will show red and in violation. The log remark does not physically extend their clocks they look at. Adverse Weather Conditions is only a Log remark that is made on that "driving" status to explain why the driver has the violation showing.
It is recommended to add the log remark on the driving status AND add an annotation, so that both the DOT and the admin can see.