US temporarily eases curb on working hours for fuel truck drivers

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration is temporarily easing rules for truck drivers transporting gasoline and diesel. This 90-day waiver, effective immediately, permits drivers to work up to 16 hours within a 24-hour period, compared to the current 14-hour limit, provided they take the necessary rest breaks.

The administration cited supply and cost concerns as the reason for this decision, as short-term disruptions in the supply chain could delay the shipment of gasoline and diesel, potentially affecting freight deliveries. The price of diesel in the U.S. recently reached a record high of $6.29 per gallon, up from $3.74 a year ago, due to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries, which have limited supply.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented this waiver to provide greater flexibility in hours-of-service requirements in anticipation of increased demand for fuel in late summer and fall, as well as to mitigate the impact on fuel costs and availability for transport providers, agricultural harvesting, and the public.

Drivers with conditional safety ratings are excluded from the waiver, and a driver requiring immediate rest is granted 10 consecutive hours off-duty before resuming work. Previously, such orders have been issued during natural disasters, emergencies, or events like wildfires, hurricanes, or winter storms. Notably, in March 2020, a national emergency order waived service requirements for commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency coronavirus relief, food for emergency restocks, and various supplies and equipment, including masks and disinfectant.