The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended their expanded emergency declaration. This will give truckers hauling certain relief supplies an exemption from hours of service (HOS) regulations until May 15th.
Just days after President Trump declared a national emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FMCSA issued their initial expanded emergency declaration. The document caused some confusion over what loads qualified a trip for HOS-exempt status. FMCSA subsequently published two FAQ sheets to help clear up confusion.
Initially the HOS exemption was supposed to last until April 12, 2020 or until President Trump declares an end to the national emergency, whichever is sooner. Just a few days before the expiration, the date has been pushed to May 15th.
Additionally, the new extension expressly defines “liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems” as covered under the exemption.
Drivers are exempted from HOS regulations as long as they are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts by transporting the following:
- 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;
- Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
- Immediate precursor raw materials-such as paper, plastic or alcohol-that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories (1), (2) or (3);
- Fuel;
- Equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19;
Source: truckinginfo, overdrive, WHO, ttnews, freightwaves, freightwaves, truckinginfo, FMCSA
We need you now so we will relax all rules but when we don’t need you as much, please bend over again. FMCSA blows
It’s funny now we can drive as long as we need too and use our judgment when it’s time to take a break. Smh
Amen, hmmm, when it works for them
Live free or die.
Don’t think NH puts that on there license plates anymore ?
We’re screwed.
We should be exempt permanently regardless of what we’re hauling because this country would sink in 2 days if we quit working all this is a political scam until it’s over then they’ll go back to ripping us off for money
Trucker’s wish president Trump
Would abolish the fmcsa we don’t need a bunch of idiots telling us how much we can work sitting in a office and making a huge Bible out of our hours of service
Only want hauling mail job’s
We’re gonna get screwed no matter how they play it. One of they few occupations where you can work 70 hours a week, for less than minimum wage, and never qualify for “overtime” pay. Was kinda interesting when Dispatch said “keep driving”. Hauling masks & face shields, they’ve been running me 18 hours a day!
Yup. Zero OT, only industry on planet earth, to include China, go figure.
The other article here in Truckersnews today says these same “Industries that Support the Invisible Enemy War, against this Covid-19 Virus” said these “Industries were down” ! Yeah, Right!! Then, I read this story about the further extension of the Suspension of HOS Rules an Regs, for all these many industries! Again, stimulating the rates for these sectors and ALL THE FREIGHT THAT GOES WITH IT!! 🙂 Not to mention, what the Govt is paying for hauling these industry’s products for this “War Effort”! I’ve had 2 Email Contract Offers and 2 Text Offers, where the companies got Govt Contracts for this stuff and NEED MORE Owner/Operators to Haul. Paying between $1800 and $2200 a Load for as much as we can haul, as fast as possible!! I just think it’s pretty Ironic, how EASY IT WAS IN REALITY FOR The Govt to “Suspend” the WORST OF THESE RULES AN REGS, SO EASILY! When they “NEED HELP” !!! The Rest of the time, they make us put up with all the B.S. I wonder what will happen after this is all over??? But until then, I hope to take FULL ADVANTAGE and make as much as possible! So far even, One Offer came with Hazmat Suits, complete with Masks an Gloves! 🙂 Hey, Let’s Roll !
As always we just bunch of robot when they order us to sit we have to sit, and etc……
Hi there, I’m a Disabled trucker, and the best advice I can give( it might not sound or it might not be fare) but as long as you put GOD first, keep working hard like always, because the world is NOT kind back to you, keep helping people, but some of the people are nasty back at ya, keep on giving, and a lot is taking away from ya, keep on being kind, and some will curse ya back, you see, when it all comes down to it, it’s NOT about you and them, ITS ABOUT YOU AND GOD, hang in there my fellow Truckers, and LADY TRUCKERS, !JESUS IS COMING REAL SOON!( John3:3) (IS. 26:20 cor. Virus)
Amen!!! Keep your eyes on Christ!
Colossians 3:1