Question 1

What is the Federal 28-Hour Law in commercial livestock transport?

Accepted Answer

Under 49 U.S.C. Section 80502, animals transported across state lines cannot be confined in a vehicle or trailer for more than 28 consecutive hours without being unloaded for at least 5 consecutive hours for rest, water, and feeding. A written extension to 36 hours may be requested by the owner or shipper.

Question 2

How does the FMCSA 150 air-mile agricultural exemption apply to livestock haulers?

Accepted Answer

Under 49 CFR 395.1(k)(1), drivers transporting agricultural commodities, including livestock, are fully exempt from federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations within a 150 air-mile radius of the source of the livestock, as well as within a 150 air-mile radius of the final delivery destination during state-defined planting and harvest seasons (or year-round in most livestock corridors).

Question 3

How does EXSPEEDITE TMS manage 28-Hour Law compliance and rest station dispatch?

Accepted Answer

EXSPEEDITE tracks the livestock confinement clock from the exact moment the loading ramp latches, monitors GPS corridor progression, alerts dispatchers at 20 and 24 hours, and automatically suggests approved USDA resting facilities with penning capacity, watering troughs, and bio-secure unloading docks.

Regulation	Authority	Operational Mandate	EXSPEEDITE Automation
The 28-Hour Law	USDA APHIS / 49 U.S.C. 80502	Mandatory 5-hour rest, water, and feeding after 28 hours confinement (extensible to 36 hours with written consent).	Automated countdown timer synced to trailer gate sensors with dispatch alerts at 20, 24, and 26 hours.
150 Air-Mile Ag Exemption	FMCSA / 49 CFR 395.1(k)(1)	Exempt from HOS regulations within 150 air-mile radius of source farm or ranch and destination feedlot/processing plant.	Geo-fence radius rings displayed directly on dispatch map; automated HOS duty status toggle on in-cab ELD.
Bio-Security Protocols	State Depts of Agriculture	Mandatory trailer sanitation, wash certificates, and health papers (CVI) before crossing state quarantine borders.	Electronic Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) indexing and wash station receipt verification in load records.

Humane Livestock Transport 28-Hour Law & Ag HOS Exemption Guide

28-Hour Confinement Clock

150 Air-Mile Ag Exemption

Emergency Offload Hubs

Interactive Livestock Transit & 28-Hour Compliance Planner

Regulatory Matrix: Livestock Hauler Standards

Request Livestock Dispatch Architecture Consultation