A truck driver of 30 years has applied for an exemption to the Hours of Service rules. 

The request was filed on the morning of Wednesday, June 8th. 

Leland Schmitt Jr. is an owner operator leased to D & E Transport in Clearwater, Minnesota and has been driving for 30 years. He is requesting a five year exemption from the 10 consecutive hours off duty requirement, the 14 hours “driving window,” the 30 minute break requirement, and the 60 hours-in-seven-days and 70 hours-in-8-days-limits. 

Schmitt Jr. filed the request on the grounds that the mandatory 10 hours off-duty break does not fit with his natural sleep patterns of five to seven hours a night. 

A 30 day comment period has since been opened for the request. Those interested in submitting comments can do so through July 11th.