The waiver specifically applies to drivers transporting propane, natural gas, and heating oil in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. These drivers can exceed normal maximum driving hours while responding to the regional emergency.

Why the Waiver Was Needed

Severe winter storms and bitterly cold temperatures have created widespread challenges for heating fuel delivery. In addition, a power outage at a major gas refinery and industrial complex in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, disrupted propane shipments across the region.

FMCSA stated that the declaration was issued “in response to winter storms and cold weather in the affected states and a power outage at a major gas refinery and industrial complex in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, severely disrupting the flow of propane and the current and anticipated effects on people and property, including the immediate risk to public health, safety, and welfare.”

Guidance for Drivers

Truckers directly assisting the emergency are granted relief from 49 Code of Federal Regulations 395.3, which governs maximum driving hours for property-carrying vehicles. This temporary HOS relief is valid through December 26, 2025, or until the emergency ends, whichever comes first.

Drivers taking advantage of this waiver should:

• Keep records verifying participation in the emergency response
• Continue following all safety protocols despite extended hours
• Coordinate with dispatch to manage shifts and prevent fatigue

The FMCSA emphasized that the relief applies only to drivers hauling the specified heating fuels and involved in direct emergency response. Standard regulations remain in effect for all other operations.

This waiver helps ensure critical heating fuels reach communities in need while providing drivers with clear, temporary flexibility to maintain deliveries during severe winter conditions.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post FMCSA Issues Emergency HOS Waivers as Winter Storms Hit Northeast appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

What the Declaration Covers

The emergency declaration provides temporary relief from maximum driving time requirements for motor carriers and drivers directly involved in delivering essential fuels. These include heating fuel, propane, natural gas, heating oil, gasoline, and diesel. The order applies to trucking operations across all 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.

FMCSA clarifies that “direct assistance” refers to transportation and services directly tied to restoring essential supplies and services. However, it does not cover long-term infrastructure repairs or routine commercial shipments. For example, mixed cargo loads containing only a small quantity of qualifying emergency relief supplies are not eligible under this provision.

Conditions and Restrictions

Motor carriers or drivers under an existing out-of-service order are not permitted to operate under this emergency declaration unless they meet the necessary compliance requirements.

Once the emergency relief efforts are complete, carriers and drivers must adhere to standard hours-of-service regulations. However, drivers may return empty to their terminals or regular work-reporting locations. When transitioning from emergency operations back to standard commercial activities, a mandatory 10-hour rest period is required if total working hours—combining emergency relief and regular operations—reach or exceed 14 hours.

Additional State-Level Relief

While the FMCSA’s order serves as a national measure, individual states may offer additional relief for carriers and drivers. As of Tuesday, January 28, nine states have localized emergency declarations in place to support fuel transportation and other critical needs.

Source: Land Line

The post Emergency Fuel Relief Extended to February 15 – What Truckers Need to Know appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.