Relaxed Hours of Service Rules for Truckers Transporting Certain Products
On March 18, President Trump, exercising his executive branch emergency powers, has temporarily lifted maximum drive time rules for truckers in certain situations. Drive time, typically, referred to as hours of service, restricts the number of hours in a 24 hour period that drivers can be on duty and driving.
Due to a shortage of medical and food supplies directly related to the coronavirus outbreak, drivers transporting the following supplies are exempt from these restrictions:
- Medical supplies and equipment related to testing diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
- Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety and sanitation, including masks, gloves hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants
- Food, paper products and groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores
- Raw materials used for the manufacture of items in categories 1-3;
- Fuel
- Equipment/supplies to establish temporary housing, quarantine and isolation facilities.
Routine commercial deliveries which may include a mixed combination of routine loads with a nominal quantity of emergency relief are NOT EXEMPT from hours of service requirements. Although police trained as commercial motor vehicle enforcement officers are to be familiar with the applicable laws and regulations, not all may be familiar with the recent changes.
In the event you receive a log book citation and are unsure if you are exempt contact Attorney David Hershey today at 1-800-615-0115.
