In a notice of proposed rulemaking published Friday, Jan. 9, FMCSA proposed extending the length of automatic emergency relief triggered by a federal emergency declaration from 14 days to 30 days.

The proposal follows multiple petitions asking the agency to reconsider changes made in a final rule issued in October 2023. That earlier rule significantly narrowed both the duration and scope of regulatory relief available during emergencies.

Why FMCSA Is Reconsidering the Timeline

Under the current rule, when an emergency is declared, eligible motor carriers and drivers automatically receive hours-of-service relief for 14 days. After that window closes, carriers must request extensions if emergency conditions persist.

Before the 2023 rule change, emergency declarations triggered a 30-day automatic exemption from all regulations listed in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399. For local emergencies lasting five days or fewer, the exemption applied only to hours-of-service rules under sections 395.3 and 395.5.

Several organizations challenged the shortened timeline, arguing that 14 days often does not reflect the reality of major emergencies.

OOIDA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the Montana Department of Transportation, and the National Propane Gas Association were among those who submitted petitions.

“In our experience, the current 30-day period provides sufficient time to deliver emergency assistance without negatively impacting safety,” OOIDA wrote in 2023. “We are unclear on exactly why FMCSA is proposing these regulatory changes at this time.”

FMCSA acknowledged that most petitioners focused on the time limitation, stating the 14-day window was too short to address large-scale or prolonged events.

Recent Emergencies Highlight the Challenge

FMCSA cited several real-world situations where relief extended well beyond two weeks, including the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, wildfires across the western United States, and hurricanes that impacted North Carolina in 2024.

In those cases, freight movement tied to recovery efforts continued long after the initial emergency declaration period expired.

The agency also noted the administrative burden associated with extension requests. Submitting, reviewing, and approving emergency extensions creates added costs and delays for both carriers and regulators during already strained conditions.

What the Proposed Change Would Do

If finalized, the rule would restore a 30-day automatic relief period when a federal emergency declaration is issued. FMCSA has not proposed expanding the scope of the exemptions beyond what is currently allowed, but the longer window would reduce the need for repeated extension requests during prolonged emergencies.

FMCSA notified petitioners in January 2025 that it would formally reconsider the 14-day limit, leading to the proposal released this month.

Current Emergency Declarations Remain Active

As of Jan. 9, emergency declarations were active in several states, including New York, Washington, Connecticut, Maine, and Oregon. FMCSA regional emergency declarations were also in effect in other states dealing with fuel shortages and severe winter weather.

How to Submit Comments

FMCSA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule change through March 10. Stakeholders can submit feedback by visiting Regulations.gov and searching for Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0124.

The outcome of this proposal could shape how effectively the trucking industry responds to future emergencies, particularly those that stretch beyond short-term disruptions.

Source: Land Line Media

The post FMCSA Considers Extending Emergency Relief Period for Carriers and Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Federal Regulation Waivers for Relief Efforts

Federal regulations for commercial motor vehicles have been relaxed to support ongoing relief efforts. This applies to vehicles directly involved in transporting supplies or offering services vital to restoring essential goods and infrastructure. Importantly, these waivers extend to qualifying carriers or drivers regardless of the origin of their trip, provided their work directly supports the emergency response in Kentucky.

Key Notes on Direct Assistance

• Direct assistance does not include long-term reconstruction efforts or general commercial deliveries, even if a minor portion of the load consists of supplies for emergency relief.
• Assistance ends once the focus shifts from addressing immediate threats to life and property toward routine operations or infrastructure rehabilitation.
• Drivers must still adhere to hours of service regulations, requiring a 10-hour rest period after reaching a total of 14 working hours across emergency operations and everyday activities.

Motor carriers and operators currently under an out-of-service order are not permitted to operate within the scope of this emergency relief declaration.

Source: Land Line

The post Flooding Emergency Declaration Extended in Kentucky appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The order grants motor carriers and drivers in these areas exemptions from the standard maximum driving time when they are directly involved in relief operations. This includes the transportation of critical fuels such as propane, heating oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and heating fuel to the affected regions.

Initially issued on January 10, the emergency declaration addresses challenges posed by severe winter storms and freezing temperatures. These extreme weather conditions have heightened fuel demands while creating significant obstacles in the distribution process.

What Does “Direct Assistance” Mean?

Under the FMCSA’s directive, “direct assistance” refers to transportation and relief services provided by motor carriers or drivers that play a key role in the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services. However, this does not cover transportation intended for long-term recovery beyond the initial emergency phase or for reconstructing damaged infrastructure. Additionally, routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with only minimal emergency supplies, do not qualify for the exemptions provided.

Motor carriers or drivers who have been issued an out-of-service order are also not permitted to operate under the declaration until they meet all applicable conditions.

Returning to Normal Operations

Once emergency relief activities conclude, carriers and drivers must comply with standard driving time regulations while operating commercial vehicles. However, drivers can return empty to their terminal or their usual work reporting location without additional restrictions.

If a driver transitions from emergency relief efforts back to normal operations, they must take a 10-hour rest period if their total time engaged in relief efforts or combined relief and everyday driving exceeds 14 hours.

Additional State Declarations

Several states have also implemented their own emergency declarations to provide motor carriers and drivers with additional relief measures tailored to specific regional needs. To learn more about these state-level declarations, detailed information is available here.

Source: Land Line

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