FMCSA has announced that they will once again be extending the Hours of Service (HOS) exemptions for carriers providing assistance for COVID-19 relief efforts.
The initial Extended Emergency Declaration was issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shortly after the White House declared a National State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some of the exemptions covered by the expanded emergency declaration have been allowed to expire, others still continue.
This fourth extension will push the end date back until August 14th.
Currently, drivers are exempt from HOS provisions if they are hauling loads that qualify them, such as:
- Livestock and livestock feed
- Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
- Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.
FMCSA notes that loads which carry these goods are not exempt if they are being hauled as part of “routine commercial deliveries.” They also do not qualify if a truck is carrying only a small amount of the supplies “added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.”
Source: FMCSA, truckinginfo, fleetowner, overdrive
Is water still on this list as well????