USDA 28-Hour Law Dispatch Playbook
Navigate federal confinement clocks, execute 36-hour written shipper extensions, schedule 5-hour rest yards, and balance agricultural 150 air-mile HOS exemptions.
28-Hour Countdown
Animals cannot be confined in a motor vehicle for more than 28 consecutive hours without being unloaded into humane pens for feeding, water, and rest.
36-Hour Extension
Shippers may sign a written request on the bill of lading extending the legal limit to 36 hours when humane delivery can be reached without an intermediate offload.
5-Hour Rest Minimum
When animals are unloaded, they must remain in authorized holding pens with clean water and suitable feed for at least 5 consecutive hours before reloading.
150 Air-Mile Exemption
Under MAP-21, drivers transporting agricultural commodities within a 150 air-mile radius of the farm or feedlot source are fully exempt from FMCSR HOS logs.
Livestock Confinement Trip Planning Matrix
AUTOMATED DISPATCH ROUTING145 miles • 3.2 hrs transit • 100% compliant
890 miles • 16.5 hrs • 36-hr extension attached
1,480 miles • 27.5 hrs • Rest stop scheduled at North Platte