FMCSA waives hours-of-service rules for fuel haulers through December

Hours-of-service limits are temporarily lifted for interstate carriers transporting gasoline and diesel. The change began on September 16 and runs through December 16.

Drivers covered by the waiver may drive up to sixteen hours within a twenty-four-hour window. This limit replaces all other hours-of-service exceptions. Drivers must rest for six consecutive hours in a sleeper berth each day. Those without a sleeper berth must take an eight-hour break.

Carriers must keep a physical or digital copy of the waiver in the vehicle. Drivers must show it to police upon request. The waiver also covers the empty return trip to the carrier terminal or normal work location.

If a driver reports a need for immediate rest, the carrier must stop operations and provide ten consecutive off-duty hours. When switching back to standard hours-of-service rules, drivers who have reached fourteen hours of total time must take a ten-hour break before continuing.

Drivers or carriers currently under an out-of-service order cannot use the waiver until the order is officially lifted. State agencies may not enforce conflicting interstate laws against drivers using this waiver. States may choose to apply the same rules for intrastate trips.

Source: Transport Topics — https://www.ttnews.com/articles/fmcsa-fuel-transport-waiver