Agency, states waive hours rules for fuel haulers, some food and relief load haulers

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Updated Mar 5, 2014

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In light of severe cold temperatures impacting much of the country and some nationwide fuel distribution problems, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and some states have continued issuance of hours-of-service waivers for fuel haulers and, now, some other relief loads, like road salt, food and livestock.

Propane and home heating fuel haulers in South Dakota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin are exempt from federal hours-of-service rules until 11:59 p.m. on March 15, per FMCSA-issued declarations.

The agency has also issued hours waivers to drivers hauling highway rock salt and other de-icing materials in Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

Home heating fuel haulers in Colorado and North Dakota are exempt from hours rules until 11:59 p.m. March 7 due to state-issued declarations, and propane and home heating fuel haulers in Minnesota are exempt until 11:59 p.m. March 8, per that state’s declaration.

In North Carolina, drivers carrying equipment and supplies for restoring utilities and for removing debris — along with those carrying home heating fuels, food, medicine, livestock and poultry and feed for live stock and poultry  — are exempt from hours of service rules until 11:59 p.m., March 12.

Similarly, Tennessee has issued HOS exemptions to drivers hauling chickens and feed for poultry that lasts until 11:59 p.m. March 20.

See the links below to see the declarations, many of which require drivers to have a copy on hand if operating under the exemptions.

FMCSA began issuing hours waivers in early January with the first “polar vortex” event began, after the National Propane Gas Association requested the agency to do so help home heating fuel providers get propane and other fuels to consumers.

The House also introduced a bill last week that would is passed waive hours-of-service rules for propane and other fuel haulers until May 31, citing FMCSA’s inability to issue longer term waivers.

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Click the links below to see a PDF of the declarations for the states listed:

Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont (propane, de-icing materials)

South Dakota

Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin (propane)

Indiana (propane)

Ohio (de-icing materials)

Colorado (propane)

North Dakota (propane)

Minnesota (propane)

North Carolina (propane, utilities supplies, livestock, food, medicine, water)

Tennessee (feed, poultry)

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