Trucks hauling fuel get HOS waiver for 3 months

A nationwide exemption to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for fuel transportation will remain in effect until December 16, following an announcement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The waiver permits drivers to operate for up to 16 hours daily, surpassing the standard limit of 11 hours within a 14-hour window, provided a 30-minute break after eight hours.

FMCSA stated the waiver aims to accommodate increased fuel demand during late summer and most of the fall. Under the exemption, drivers can only drive 16 hours per day, necessitating either a six-hour consecutive break or an eight-hour break if no sleeper berth is available. Additional requirements include a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL), no eligibility for drivers with a conditional safety rating, and a physical waiver copy on board.

FMCSA Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of the waiver in preventing fuel and diesel supply chain disruptions, ultimately protecting against shortages, lowering consumer costs, and minimizing strain on American agricultural producers. Only two other ongoing waivers pertain to wildfire recovery in Nebraska and Oregon, with most being regional. The last nationwide waiver lasted over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.