Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021:
In addition to the emergency COVID relief hours of service waiver that was extended through November, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has also extended other COVID-related waivers dealing with licenses and medical certificates.
Related to commercial driver’s licenses, FMCSA is allowing, but not requiring, states to extend the validity of CDLs that expired on or after March 1, 2020, beyond the allowable eight-year maximum period. Under the waiver, states have the discretion to determine whether, due to COVID-19, there is a continued need to extend the validity of CDLs that expired on or after March 1, 2020. States can now extend CDL validity through Nov. 30. The waiver also applies to commercial learner’s permits that were due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020.
FMCSA is also allowing states to continue to allow CLP holders to take the CDL skills test without waiting 14 days after the issuance of the CLP.
The agency is also extending the waiver from the requirement that CDL and CLP holders have a medical exam and certification, as long as the driver has proof of a valid med cert and any required medical variance issued for a period of 90 days or longer and that expired on or after June 1, 2021.
The first Class 8 Hino XL8 prototype is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell electric drivetrain.
In October 2020, Hino unveiled its Project Z – a development path to zero emissions Class 4 through Class 8 trucks, leaning on partnerships with technology leaders in advanced electrification drive systems. Hino itself is a subsidiary of Toyota.
