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March 8, 2000 9:45 AM, EST

BAL HARBOUR, Fla. — Moving company drivers do more loading and unloading than the average trucker, and that fact has some in the household goods industry concerned about the federal government’s plans to change hours-of-service regulations.

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The Department of Transportation’s hours rules are under review by the Office of Management and Budget at the White House. The proposal is expected to cut the amount of time drivers can work in a 24-hour period, but by doing away with the distinction between on-duty time and driving time, many truckers potentially could have more hours behind the wheel each day.

But that may cause problems for the moving companies.

Movers say the longer driving hours will not do them much good since their drivers spend so much time packing and unpacking. Moving officials fear the effects of the rule proposal, once it comes out, and say it could force van lines to leave furniture on a customer’s lawn.

For the full story, see the Mar. 6 print edition of Transport Topics. .