FMCSA issues storm emergency hours of service waivers for 40 states
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued emergency hours-of-service (HOS) waivers tied to storm response efforts, covering 40 states.
The waivers are intended to support emergency operations by giving motor carriers and drivers added flexibility to move critical supplies and help restore essential services during storm-related disruptions.
For drivers, an FMCSA emergency HOS waiver typically means certain federal driving-time limits can be temporarily relaxed for qualifying emergency loads. These declarations are generally focused on specific relief work, not normal freight, and they do not remove the responsibility to operate safely.
Emergency HOS waivers matter because severe weather can quickly disrupt normal freight networks. Road closures, power outages, and supply shortages can increase demand for fuel, food, water, and other essentials, while also making it harder to run on a standard schedule. Temporary flexibility can help keep relief freight moving when timing is critical.
Drivers and fleets operating under an emergency declaration should pay close attention to how the waiver is defined, including which operations qualify and when the waiver ends. The safest approach is to confirm the specific terms that apply before running under the waiver.