The FMCSA has been keeping everyone on the edge of their seats waiting for an outcome to its driver hours-of-service rulemaking. But just before the end of the year the agency issued its final rule and announced that it would not change the daily driving limit or the weekly on-duty hours limits either. But beginning July 1, 2013, it is making a change to the restart provision and it's adding a new provision related to 30-minute breaks.

Oregon DMV now requires commercial truck and bus drivers to submit a photocopy of their medical certificate to continue holding a CDL. The new requirement is part of federal safety regulations aimed at making sure CDL holders are medically fit. Some drivers will meet this requirement sooner than others, but by January 30, 2014, everyone will need to submit a copy of their valid medical card to DMV.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration have issued their long-awaited final rule prohibiting interstate commercial truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones. It's estimated that about four million commercial drivers will be affected by the rule.