FMCSA declares waiver for fuel haulers in wake of storm

The winter storm causing havoc and continuing to spread across major parts of the country has prompted a waiver from regulators exempting drivers from hours-of-service (HOS) rules to speed deliveries of fuel and other emergency supplies to affected areas.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Midwestern, Southern and Western Service Centers issued late Wednesday a regional emergency declaration that exempts drivers and carriers from Parts 390 through 399 of federal regulations, which include HOS.

“Such emergency is in response to damage and heating and other fuel shortages from severe winter storms” in the 33 affected states and the District of Columbia, the FMCSA’s order states. “This declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation of persons, supplies, goods, equipment, heating fuels, including propane, natural gas and heating oil and other fuel products, including gasoline, and provides necessary relief.”

The waiver terminates when a driver begins hauling interstate cargo that is not part of emergency relief efforts related to the severe winter storm, according to the order, or when the driver’s company dispatches the driver or vehicle to another location to begin non-storm-related operations.