The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, working alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has issued a temporary waiver aimed at helping fertilizer products reach farms during a period of supply uncertainty.

Federal officials say the action has been taken to address fertilizer shortages affecting American agriculture while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.

Global Supply Issues Prompt Federal Response

According to federal agencies, the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have restricted global fertilizer shipments, creating concerns about supply availability during a critical application period for farmers.

In response, the Department of Agriculture has launched what it describes as a government-wide effort to strengthen fertilizer supplies in the United States.

That effort includes reducing shipping costs, expanding fertilizer production, and cutting regulatory barriers that could slow deliveries to agricultural customers. Transportation is a key part of that strategy, which led to this decision.

Certain Hours of Service and ELD Rules Are Suspended

The waiver applies to motor carriers and commercial drivers transporting straight or blended fertilizer products for commercial farming and agricultural purposes.

Under the temporary relief, certain Hours of Service requirements contained in 49 CFR 395.3 are suspended for qualifying operations.

The waiver also temporarily suspends Electronic Logging Device requirements under 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)(i).

Waiver Remains Active Through August

The emergency relief took effect on May 26 and will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 26.

Drivers and carriers transporting qualifying fertilizer products in covered states may operate under the waiver throughout that period.

States Included in the Waiver

The waiver covers Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

For drivers involved in agricultural freight, the waiver provides temporary regulatory flexibility as federal agencies work to keep fertilizer moving to farms during a critical part of the growing season.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information drivers can use.

Last updated: June 3, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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Since the NRII system’s rollout on June 23, not all states and medical examiners have fully adjusted, creating confusion. According to FMCSA, “As of the date of this waiver, 38 states and the District of Columbia have implemented NRII. Twelve states have not yet implemented NRII and are continuing to rely on the paper MEC.” Some drivers are dealing with delays in updating their records.

The waiver runs through October 12, 2025, and applies to interstate CDL holders, CLP applicants, and carriers—as long as the driver or carrier keeps a paper MEC issued within the last 15 days. FMCSA stressed, “Drivers with valid medical certification and their employers should not be penalized for delays outside of their control as medical examiners and SDLAs transition to a new system.”

Drivers or carriers who don’t have a valid MEC aren’t covered. The agency urges everyone to stay aware of compliance updates as states continue transitioning to NRII to avoid penalties and ensure timely record updates.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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Current Regulations and Bianco’s Proposal

Currently, federal regulations limit drivers under the age of 21 to operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) exclusively within their state of residence. Bianco, however, seeks to expand access to its training services to non-Michigan residents under this exemption.

The training center is located just 29 miles from the Wisconsin border, making it a convenient option for many Wisconsin-based students. According to FMCSA, Bianco shared that several young aspiring drivers from Wisconsin have expressed interest in joining because the facility is their nearest registered training provider.

Bianco also outlined safety precautions in its application. Under their proposal:

• Under-21 drivers would only operate CMVs when accompanied by a licensed training instructor.

• All range maneuvers would take place on Bianco’s insured and managed training lot.

• Every student must pass a pre-employment drug screening before beginning the program.

Public Input Requested

FMCSA is currently seeking public feedback on Bianco’s petition. Comments can be submitted through Feb. 14 here.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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