FMCSA Issues HOS Declaration for Gasoline and Diesel Haulers
Take a look outside at the nearest fueling station and see the prices. They can be a little difficult to look at. As the Director of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Derek D. Barrs understands the importance of having fuel prices not spiraling out of control, and to that end has declared a State of Emergency for haulers of gasoline and diesel to bring more supply to meet current demand.
Details
The Declaration differs from ones we have seen in the past. While Declarations involving providing food and blankets had a policy where truckers were allowed to drive until they started feeling symptoms of fatigue, this Declaration increases the driving hour cap to 16 hours, as opposed to 11 hours of driving in a 14-hour work window.
The other aspects of the Declaration are very similar to what we see on other Declarations: drivers hauling under it must keep a physical or digital copy on them in case of law enforcement questioning, and the relaxing of driving rules is not an excuse to drive while tired to the point of impacting driving performance, nor is it a blank check to violate any other traffic laws such as driving on the wrong side of the road or passing through red lights.
Most importantly, however, is that if a crash were to occur during this hauling period, the FMCSA requires drivers to submit their total driving time in the seven days preceding the accident.
Presumably, this is so that the FMCSA can collect data as to the effect that these extended hours during times of duress have on accident rates.
Conclusion
The Declaration runs from September 16 to December 16th, 2026. While we provided a summary of the Declaration, it is important that you read it in full if you are going to be driving under it (and keep a copy with you!) so that you understand it in full and do not get a ticket or a collision.
It will be interesting to see what effect this increase in fuel delivery ultimately has on prices.
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