Truck drivers hauling emergency freight during severe winter storms will continue to receive temporary hours-of-service flexibility.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its regional emergency declaration covering 40 states impacted by extreme cold and winter weather. The updated waiver is effective from Feb. 3 through Feb. 20, or until the emergency conditions end, whichever comes first.
FMCSA said it may modify, extend, or terminate the declaration based on conditions.
What the HOS Waiver Covers
The emergency declaration temporarily provides relief from the following federal regulations:
- 49 CFR § 395.3 – Property-carrying vehicle driving limits
- 49 CFR § 395.5 – Passenger-carrying vehicle driving limits
According to FMCSA, the waiver supports urgent winter emergency response while maintaining overall safety.
Relief applies only to drivers and motor carriers providing direct assistance to emergency efforts in the affected states. It applies regardless of trip origin, as long as the movement supports emergency relief within those states.
What Is Not Covered
FMCSA made it clear that the waiver does not apply to:
- Routine commercial deliveries
- Mixed loads that include only nominal emergency supplies
- Long-term recovery or infrastructure repair after the emergency phase
All other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations remain in effect, including:
- CDL requirements
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Insurance requirements
- Hazardous materials regulations
- Size and weight limits
Drivers or carriers under an out-of-service order are not eligible until the order is officially lifted.
States Included in the Declaration
The 40 states covered under the extended winter emergency declaration are:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Important Reminder for Drivers
When emergency assistance ends, normal hours-of-service rules immediately resume. Drivers must take required rest breaks before returning to standard operations.
FMCSA urges drivers and carriers to review the full declaration carefully to confirm their loads qualify before operating under the exemption.
For those hauling fuel, food, medical supplies, or other emergency freight, the extension provides continued flexibility during severe weather disruptions. For all other freight, standard compliance remains in effect.
Source: Truckers News
