Exempt load explanation

My state says this, if the shipper has indicated it is a “Covid” define load, it is exempt.

now this may have changed but with a large number of loads of consumer products this past year, we had a total of 25 loads that actually had the exemption.

 

From what I see in the emergency declarations, food can be an emergency shipment, and therefore exempt, but it must be an emergency load. So just because you're having food, that doesn't make it exempt.

Extension and Amendment of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 Under 49 CFR § 390.25 (September 1, 2021) | FMCSA

 

I don't know about on a flat, but in a wagon onions are not exempt.

 

You have to report to the FMCSA every use at the end of each month. Not a free for all like it was.

 

If they come from the packing shed or the field, and are not processed, you still have the 150 air mile agricultural exemption you can use.

 

They are a exempt commodity, that means you don’t need authority to haul them.
Look it up

 

Where did you load? You may have been able to use the 150 radius ag exemption inbound and outbound. If you really need to be in a hurry I’ve found that some places still have the “emergency load” sheet of paper laying around that they were handing out to everyone last year. The last time I used it about a month ago I could’ve made my appointment but it would’ve been real tight on my 70. I just said in a joking way “Any way this could be an exempt load cuz it would make my life easier” and next thing you know I had this piece of paper saying the DC I was going to was low on product and blah blah Covid blah blah. So instead of watching the clock the whole trip I had 3 easy days coming back out of Phoenix. It’s late enough in the game now that I wouldn’t try it without something from the shipper just in case you get stopped.