To help speed the response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has exempted truckers from needing to follow Hours of Service (HOS) requirements while hauling certain loads. Unfortunately, the exemption notice was so vague that carriers and drivers weren’t sure exactly what was and wasn’t covered.
Shortly after President Trump declared a National Emergency, the FMCSA issued an expanded national emergency declaration. In the notice, they announced that HOS rules would not apply to commercial vehicle drivers who are involved in emergency relief efforts. The exemption applies to all aspects of the Hours of Service requirements including use of an electronic logging device.
What wasn’t clear is what loads exactly make a driver eligible for the exemption. On March 19th, FMCSA issued a FAQ page to address questions that drivers were having. Then, on March 25th, another FAQ page was published.
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;
- Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and
- Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response.
Source: truckinginfo, truckinginfo, fleetowner, freightwaves, fmcsa, fmcsa, fmcsa
Best to just run legally in case of an accident cuz I’m pretty sure the lawyers will throw a driver under the jail if they weren’t following the fmcsa rules to the letter. Besides, this would be a good opportunity to prove just how asinine the 14 hour rule actually is.
Legal.not legal just a matter of geography
Ammmen!!
Everybody should run legal. Let them know they’re butting into OUR business.
Amen!!
Agree! And they still have not defined “ Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;”. Is this all and any good? Our company has told all the drivers (about 105 drivers) to follow the current HOS. Better to be safe than sued!
Amen I’m running legal. It’s not my job to fix stupid.
That’s about a stupid statement. Better safe than sued. You can be running legal following all the rules AND still get sued. I had a woman last year cross into my lane then lie to the cop, hire a lawyer, sue me and the company saying I crossed into her lane. If it hadn’t had been for the camera in the truck that recorded the whole thing she would have won.
Y’all are all missing a golden opportunity here to prove that HOS regs, elogs and that garbage is garbage. By following the HOS you’re just proving they are right. I wish I had the opportunity, but none of the freight my company hauls falls under the qualifications.
If you have an essential letter from your company, you’re covered.
At the scales yesterday, the officer needed nothing more than that.
Yeah and you get in an accident and you get charged with reckless driving. In other words. You should have known better. At the end of the day, The driver is screwed. Be smart and follow the rules. Dont believe the exemption. It’s to help them not the driver. You are responsible for safety always. Not worth the extra effort
Yea we haul alot a dog food wonder if it qualified never herd from employer so I been running legal
So menial minions. That means if your hauling medical or relief commerce. Not just regular freight. Ok? Is it any clearer now? Ughhhhh.
True true true……even if we forgo the hos, warehouses aren’t taking it early, especially Walmart and other grocery dc’s. No one wants to pay overtime or bring on extra help because of payroll taxes.
WaltB – so get it scheduled early. I ran 1000mi/day CA-NJ and delivered the day I arrived. I pick up in MD in the AM and deliver Wednesday AM in LA.
As far as saying “keep it legal or the lawyers will getcha in an accident” – that’s kinda the point, it IS legal to run exempt. In fact, its legal to run with no record of your HoS at all if covered by the exemption, which would make it kind of hard to use said non-existent record as some kind of damaging proof of neglect.
I don’t know where you live but the grocery DC where I live has been calling contractors based on need per day for the last 2wks. I know because I have been hauling loads for that same amount of time.
Wrong. Walmart is letting it’s warehouse workers get all the overtime they want. They have many more trucks to unload now than ever before. Only so much they can do.
If you would like something totally destroyed (FUBAR) put a Politician in charge. I wish they would just get out of my truck
I agree with Drifter. I am hauling food but I won’t violate the HOS rules because, sure enough, once we’re back to normal they’d tack me to the wall for violations. I trust them not at all.
Yeah it was really safer when we didn’t have the HOS. I could pull over when I was tired and still make a load on time.
They had hos, you just cheated because it wasn’t on a computer
We should all be outstanding drivers like yourself huh?🙄
Thomas Madden obviously you’re a new driver or newer and you don’t have money invested and Equipment otherwise she would make stupid comments like that so tired of hearing Young Drivers all they can yell is you cheated you cheated grow up become a real trucker !!!!
New drivers are the ones who need HOS, moving your time around so you can sleep is being safe, obviously the feds stuck their nose in it because it wasn’t generating enough revenue. They mandated E logs to stop the backing up your book and cause in flux in revenue
The eld was mandated because no one wanted to buy them. It’s not about being able to cheat because the fmcsa has issued a statement saying we know people have figured out how to cheat on eld and there isn’t much we can do. See there is people out there now all over that will jail break you eld for 100 bucks and then you can edit whatever you want whenever you need.
When was that I am 62 and don’t remember not having HOS rules
It’s safe to run 18 hours a day because the consumer wants your toilet paper today. But tomorrow when they don’t want it as much, only 11 hours is safe…and you must take a 30 min break
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It’s safe to run 18 hours a day because the consumer wants your toilet paper today. But tomorrow when they don’t want it as much, only 11 hours is safe…and you must take a 30 min break
If I can give advice to any rookie driver it’s just drive safe. Every load regardless of what you’re hauling is usually important to somebody. Don’t try to be a hero. Sacrifices you make being a truck driver already made you a hero. God bless you and your loved ones.
Perfectly stated! Safe travels, all.
Very well put sir.
Just remember all these people kissing your ___ right now will stab you in the back when it’s all over again.
DON’T HAUL ANYTHING THAT DIRECTLY HELPS THESE ANIMALS. LET THEM FEEL REAL FEAR WHEN THEY CAN’T FEED THEIR FAMILIES OR GET MEDICAL SUPPLIES.
Totally agree with you
Yeah, that’s a great attitude to carry through life.
We all are Family never forget. I AM MY BROTHERS KEEPER.
Yep, we went in and helped a small town clean up after a tornado took it off the map here in kansas, big trucks, big equipment, we got everything cleaned up for them at our own expense mind you, One year later they had the balls to put up a no truck through town sign, Screw Them. Seen bad changes in the 30+ years,
What about your family they would feel the same ok
That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You are in the wrong line of work. That might be a family member or friend that go without food or medical supplies.
Still drive 65.
Ain’t running over weight
When my 11 is up, I park.
Ain’t doing any special favor for these people. They hated trucker before, they cant keep on hating.
Just drive your normal hos. Be safe and if your tired pull over and SLEEP!!! Don’t kill yourself or others because someone behind a desk who has never driven a truck or even seen the inside of one , wants you to “get their as soon as you can!!”
Exactly!!!
God bless you hundred percent you right
Giddyup!
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN !! Makin BANK !!!
Are dot physicals extended if at or near expiration?
Anyone who’s CDL or Medical Card expires on or after March 1st, gets an exemption/extension.
You’ll have to look up the actual exemption for how long, but they did give that to keep trucks rolling for now. I’d still try to get it corrected ASAP though, because an OOS will still make life tough until you can fight it in court.
My medical card expired on the 10 of April 2020 got it renewed a month early no problem i
I read that they are.
Yes, until June 30th as of now, but had to valid up until March 1st. In other words, if it expired in January, you can’t extend it now. But any expiration between 3/1 and 6/30 is good until 6/30 or until FMCSA gives another update.
Every trucker and trucking company has one major resource, THE FMCSR’s.
Get to know them, read up on what is most current. Then document any changes on your ELD by referring to the FMCSR & state the regulation number or any reference name or number and date it was posted so to protect yourself later on down the road: during a roadside inspection, a company audit or worse, if you were involved in a crash, even if someone hits you.
Yes. See fmca website
Yes they are if the physical expires after March 1, 2020 according to the FMCSA and you have a medical card that shows that.
The expiration date of DOT Medicals are extended until June 30, if your card currently expires on or after March 1, and if it’s at least a 90-day card. Same with CDL license.
Yes
Yes I believe they are
Yes. But if you can get it from a DOT doctor in a truck stop go ahead and get it. I know there’s some in some of the TA.
Yes
Amen I couldn’t have said it better .
Drifter IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Do not put yourself at risk. The mental midgets at the FMCSA, have proven that one size doesn’t fit all. Their cheering section at the ATA have abrogated all sensibilities.. LET THEM EAT CAKE. Drive safe, leave your ELD plugged in, and most importantly take care of yourself and your families. Remember, when this is over, the FMCSA, will put it’s boot right back on your neck.
You’re right
I think it’s still a little vague, I haul bagged flour to be turned in to edible food. Am I exempt? I have no idea?????
Yes, you would be exempt because your load is a first stage ingredient (a precursor) for food. Grain being hauled to the mill where you get the flour would not as it is too far up the line. But if only a small portion of the load was the flour, then no. It’s not that difficult to understand.
From the comments I’ve read, if you can’t understand the exemptions, how do you manage to understand the HOS.
Greg if you ask any shipper for a letter or your company or your broker they should give you a letter stating you are a critical industry designation I talked to an Iowa. Officer said if you have that letter and you are hauling food you will be good to go
I won’t risk myself on these situations. If a driver has an accident out of HOS. Would he be exempted? Yeah I don’t think so, my advice to all my fellows drivers. Follow the 11 and the 14. Remember, at the end of the day it’s your life the life of others, your CDL license your carrier, YOUR FREEDOM.
I would like to purchase a truck. Business should be booming for truck loans. If there is a real for truckers
Do drivers have to carry an essential letter if your owner operator?
Yes you do sir
My “essential worker” letter was nothing more than a memo on a company letterhead signed by a company officer. I honestly don’t think it’s worth the paper it’s written on. Any other time I’ve worked a State of Emergency, I had a letter from FEMA, FMCSA, or the Governors of the states I was operating in. Many times I had all of the above. I believe my being “essential” applies to the company bottom line and management bonuses as we are just working business as usual.
Yes. You can get one from broker/ shipper emailed to you. You print it out and add your truck tag number.
Maybe someone with brains will change the hos, drug testing is good,I wonder how many government officials are being drugged tested ? Since they control the country,wondering how all the drugs getting into u.s.a ?
The average age of the American Concrete Cowboy is about 50. @ 50 I don’t even try to run over hours. For many reason, but the main one is I tire to quickly versus when I was 25. Drive, you become tired, park it. When refreshed drive again. Split sleep & drive times 25 years ago allowed you to manage you ability to safely deliver a load. Now days the Fed’s do it for you & it is a total & complete FUBAR. If HOS is suspended drive & deliver on your safe schedule, not the compay’s. You might live longer.
With an emergency restock load I had I did it like this: drive 8, sleep 2, drive 6, sleep 4 drive 8. Deliver, sleep 10
Delivered 4 hours early.
Remember 10 4 on dc
Once again, open ended rules. And those rules are read differently by every law,dot, scale, county sheriff and dog on the street. So i told all my drivers to run by the book and ELD there is no problem that way, and the brand new dot officer who wants to make his badge shine brighter will need to pick another victim. Dont give them anything, as you know with rules written so loosely it is up to the discretion of the officer…. and you wont win that battle.
The reason the current H.O.S. emergency suspension is a mess, is because it’s written by the same official at the FMCSA – Joseph DeLorenzo – who drafted the electronic log rule exemption.
Agree with Drifter totally on the 14 hr rule, it doesn’t improve safety
Well said Phil!
Be good time to show people really how important truckers are and go on strike for at least a week then maybe theyed get paid what there worth
Just be glad u are even working could be some little kids that need food in there house right now this be worst time to go on strike
Double AMEN!!!!! NOW IS THE TIME!!!!👍
Erich, be an American. Be human. Animals ? Do your work and be thankful you still have work.
They did clarify this several days ago
So elds are supposedly safer then not logging or paper but now it’s ok on their specific loads to roll any way you want I guess “master”say it’s ok so now my name is not tobi it’s kunta 😆 lol 😆 😆
At my recent DOT medical exam, I was denied a certificate because I have an Inplanted Cardiac Defibrillator. Does anyone know how I can overturn this denial? The denial certainly affects my livelyhood.
If you need a cardiac implant, it’s best for you not to drive commercially. I don’t believe there is a way around that, but you need to consult your cardiac specialist because only a doctor can sign off on your medical.
Your knowledge and experience can be put to use in the classroom or another sector of the industry and naturally, your health comes first.
I wish you the best.
There is no legal way around this. Having said that,the key word here is legal. What you report to the DOT doctor is up to you. Not offering advice,just telling you what you’re up against.
Nothing can over turn it from what I know of I myself had a massive heart attack and it was possible I would need a defibrillator but thank god so far I don’t I feel for you after driving for 40 years I was scared I would not be able to provide for my family you will be I my prays
Apply for a medical waiver.
I believe your driving career is over my friend.
No need to rush supplies. The warehouses are stockpiling and making trucks sit for days. Just was at a grocery warehouse in wi, stock piling energy drinks from nc. Trucks have been idled for days waiting to unload… it’s a joke to these warehouse people..
This whole thing is a joke. We are given “permission” to drive the way we did for years to offset the panic shopping being done by every doomsday theorist in America. How much toilet paper do you need? Its all going to come crashing down when people realise that they have 2 years worth of supplies and dont need to go shopping for a while.
No matter what. Your the last man or woman standing in the line of duty. Your the captain of ypur ship if you feel to stop then do it. Its a judgment call. And for Pete sakes put that dam cell phone down. Your driving a truck not a phone booth
I don’t see what’s so hard to understand!
Plain enough for me, it’s just that some of y’all wanna play the dumb roll.
To be clear? A motivated DOT official will find a loophole to screw the driver. Either open up the HOS to all freight or nothing.
It’s still vague. Most chemical companies I deliver to don’t even update the manifest to reflect Residue Last Contained and we have drivers getting nailed for having empty tanks (residue) with paperwork that says it’s full. haha.
Don’t trust anyone because they’re all failures and no one gives a damn anymore or does their job properly.
Drivers are messing up because they are continuing to work after they deliver the load. You are required to take 10 hours off after the destination is reached. But they are continuing without required sleep. It’s ok to run the load on a normal trip that usually would take 2 days with all the required rest. But if you keep going with out the required rest, your going to get caught.
Also , it’s the officers decision, if he feels like making a violation. He will. Regardless of these new rules.
Of course it has had to be clarified.. And will need to be done many times, look at these total idiot’s we have as political leaders. The whole lot of them proudly show the American people just how freaking, stupid, lazy, and entitled they think they are on a daily basis. Turn on any news program for 5 min.
Not sure what is more scary, the fact they haven’t been run out of town with pitch forks and pine tar, or the average American actually listens to the stupidity the proudly runs around repeating stupid.
How can we have more then 300 million people in this country, and this is the best we can find as leaders? That says it all right there, something out of sight is controlling who the public face is and they want stupid front and center..
Wake up people, look around and use that damn brain to think a little.. Its amazing what suddenly stands out when you stop letting the stupid idiots think for you..
Don’t worry we will bail the federal government out yet again only to become the most hated industry when this is all over.
D.e.f. should also be classified same as fuel. I haul def and i do the exact same thing a fuel driver does but i dont meet the exemtion for not taking a brake as long as im within 100 miles. Simply because im not hauling fuel. Even though most trucks now cant run without def. I can do the exact same route. And drive the same amount of hours as a fuel driver but i have to take a 30 minute break.
Drive safe and as normal fellow road warriors. The only load that doesnt get there is the one in the ditch.
This is a perfect time to demand more money to our jobs and get rid of the penny’s per mile Do you realize that we are in an industry that pays us this work and set up an hourly wage plus overtime after 40 hours it’s because major corporations pay off politicians to make sure that we are exempt from any type of overtime after 40 hours
Take this for what you want ,on that elog tablet turn off auto update of system time. It’s in main system settings. Every application reports the same as what’s here. I’m pretty sure there not reading the system time of the truck though they’re tied together thru your obd2, 9pin or green n yellow data link the times on trucks almost never match actual time and would be confusing to cross check the 2. There’s you’re paper log back just gotta know some hack. Try b4 u drive I’m not to be held liable or responsible for laws this could break. Remember RaZoR from reinholds.
My opinion, a non CDL holder with no experience in the trucking industry, should’ve never been put to figure out an ELD system that was gonna create so much confusion and stress to real truck drivers that already had and have a ton of things to deal with, without piling more on top of it. It does not matter how well the FMCSA. explains in detail what they expect from commercial truck drivers, carriers are still gonna develope their own system that is convenient for themselves, including being able to edit logs at the company’s discretion. Something that used to be a “No” “No”! for anybody other than the driver himself to manipulate, falsify, or edit the logs, because it was considered a federal document. What happen to the federal document? Did it become a public document? All of the sudden? If this ELD was so necessary, why was’nt it created by veteran truck drivers with inpecable safe driving record, (A Committee Of Drivers) Not a. Werner advisor.
Parts/tires necessary to upkeep the trucks running these loads should also be clearly on that list. There should be no question as to whether a state is going to allow a driver through who is trying to maintain or repair the vehicles necessary for transporting the emergency supplies. Hint hint: LOUISIANA
Have have different feels on one hand I want everyone to shit down but on the other hand we need to help the less fortunate but after almost 40 years second generation and seeing how this industry has continually gotten worse over the years the trash and Washington need to be taught a lesson these young guys ha e no clue making less money then my dad did in 1971 and every time you turn around the cops or political venues are I your pocket the state of NJ just hit me with a fine because the company I work for on there time sheet does not have beginning and ending area for mileage since I work a local log it does not require it but the NJ IRP DOES they are just once again stealing a little for here and there and it adds up so they can picket more money because they have no idea how to budget the taxes we pay
It’s a Golden opportunity for corporations to make money off of the general public’s panic.
Drivers are still not respected nor compensated for our efforts. Where’s the compensation for work hazard.
We as drivers are in harm’s way. This is all to do with corporate greed.
A long over due Trucking Strike would bode well for drivers right about now, but we are more compassionate than that.
I have a letter from my company, saying I’m essential, (milk). A letter from the state saying I don’t have to use the ELD, not go by the HOS, and can haul an additional 10,000 lbs.
However, since I’m paid hourly, according to my ELD records, I still use the ELD… It’s the only way I can be sure I’m paid correctly, and if not prove any mistake payroll might make.
All these questions..your supposed to know that rulebook from front to back driver! Your a professional driver,you get to make zero mistakes. Said the DOT man as he writes your ticket.
Run over one of these 4 wheel idiots,kill somebody, then see how much your life and profession is worth to the judge that’s gonna sentence you.
Not worth jail time trying to make a living,no way.
Get out of my way steering wheel company governed driver!. Bout as dumb as the hoarding animals in the store. I’m coming thru. Load done; next; done; next; done, etc. I love owning my authority and running my GIG. I’m not tired and fuck delorenzo. 80mph. + spotless psp/ MC/DOT. Maintenance my own equipment, edit my logs all the time. Not a big deal when you work for yourself and own your stuff! Besides, not having an office DOT idiot trying to “interpret” the laws makes things so much easier.
I understand this is a tuff time for all Americans but all truck drivers complain about hours of service and how this hours don’t help us at all like the 30 minute break for example , I think right now is the time to strike and show them in situations like this they need us more than anything and request a fair hours of service for all Americans truck drivers , but again probably every one will back down because of the situation but after when everything is done and the dust has settled here we go again drivers complaining and Fmcsa not doing anything about it just my 2 cents.
It was way better back when I could have a nap in the afternoon and let my log book catch up to me when I was home with my family. Never trust the dot run you’re ELD legal no fines no suspension and most important no BS.
You get just as tired after a certain number of hours,where it’s an emergency situation or not! We have been told by the regulations ” you’re too tired to drive after 11 hours of driving ” . Tell me what is the difference, now we’re able to go longer ? What happened to all these so called studies and those that are supposed to know, that says ” after 11 hours your not safe” ?? Talk about B.S. , get a BIG shovel! Just goes to show you-” if you’re needed, honey wouldn’t melt in your mouth, if they don’t need you, wouldn’t give you air if you was in a jug” !! Is this a double standard? Is big brother going to stand behind you if something happens , or will big brother turn you over to the dogs ? C.Y.A.!!!
Everytime there’s a disaster they remember us truckers once they get what they need were the enemy’s on the highway.
You guys that think hos and an eld are wonderful need to know that you are being screwed big time. If you compare now to pre 1996 you are forced to work more hours and work longer before you can take a break then before. You can’t stop to take a nap or stop to eat a meal and relax a little bit and be of duty. Think about it. The reason for the eld is to take all responsibility for log violations off the carrier’s and put it on the driver plus drive more and be on duty two more hours and have their thumb on you 24/7 . I will drive my 1989 mechanical Peterbilt and keep a paper log. You other idiots can keep on being puppets. I will not.
If are delivering food Walmart distribution center, or Shoprite distribution center is part of restocking Distribution center so they can restock stores in their areas, do those drivers fall under the HOS exemption??
Amazing that everyone butt truck drivers need toilet paper. We’re regulated like dogs that’s why I wipe my ass like my dog does on the lawn. I can drive every day with no problem it’s when im forced to take a day off that throws me out of sync. I don’t need toilet paper what a waste I do it cleanly and then wash it with bubbles from a bubble bath
Lmao to everyone that thinks “running illegal” is a crazy idea only carried out by us “outlaw villains”. The HOS regulations are ONLY a measurement of time THOUGHT to be the “safest” numbers to restrict driving schedules for a professional truck driver, when in fact, they were pushed into federal law books by POLITICIANS that have NEVER stepped a single foot inside a Class 8 commercial truck! Who the hell are they to tell me (or “us”) when I am safe to drive and when I need to sleep!?? Unfortunately, I have to comply with their idiotic rules the other 99.9% of the time we are not under some sort of pandemic. Sooooo… if they suspend all HOS requirements, I am hauling relief materials, and have a letter from the company suits…. You can bet your a** I will be driving my essential, VIP, truck-driving self across the country with my ELD turned OFF!!!
Get your heads out of your butts!! Just because you think you are “driving illegally” by running HOS exempt, doesn’t mean you are driving unsafe or putting anyone on the public road in danger! If you drive 18 hours straight but never got the first bit tired, remained alert & focused the WHOLE time and only stopped when YOU decided you needed rest….YOU ARE BEING ABSOLUTELY SAFE! If you only take a sleep break of 6 hours and take back off but are fully rested…YOU ARE BEING SAFE!
When your ELD’s drive line hits the 11:01 mark…this doesn’t mean you immediately become a menace to the motoring public and morph into a 40-ton battering ram!! Come on people…just use common f’n sense!! Drive when alert, park & rest when not. It is literally that easy!!
A long time ago in Massachusetts you weren’t allowed to run through the state unless you were carrying perishables Gasoline or the sort so a lot of drivers would put several crates of oranges or the like on the rear of their trailer and they would therefore bypass the law. Toss a few crates on the rear and bypass the HOS.
Spot on ! They have put us in their HOS box and their CSA BS ! No make them give us what we want ! I love it they are like “ahhh help !” ” The rules don’t matter !” ” We need this , We love you !” Ah sorry people you made the stupid rules , the anti idling, the NO TRUCKS ! BECAUSE WE HATE TRUCKERS ! The stupid split speeds and no trucks in left lanes ! The allowed aggression ,cutting trucks off and following too close of large trucks by four wheelers without enforcement by police even when it happens right in front of them ! No training for 15-16 year olds of the dangers and how to behave around heavy trucks ! They can take their ” the HOS RULES don’t exist anymore line and shove it ! 10/4 !
If you guys cud just listen to yourselves. The only thing I hear is your working 14-15 hrs a day. You just dont get it. It’s not the HOS. It’s you’ve become servants to the point that your really working yourself to death for a measley 4 days off a month and just above average middle class income. Start using your brain, and organize, unionize, be smart. As for younger drivers go back to school learn a new trade. Truck driving makes life pass more quickly, companies control your life ,by telling you when to work, when to go to sleep, and when you can go home. Its not worth it.