Fuel Emergency Gives More Truck Haulers Room to Breathe
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has amended its emergency hours-of-service waiver for certain interstate fuel haulers, expanding the number of motor carriers that may qualify for additional operating flexibility amid fuel supply disruptions, higher demand and rising costs.
Waiver expands eligibility for fuel haulers
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said the revised waiver is intended to give qualifying carriers more flexibility while transporting fuel during the emergency. The relief applies to eligible interstate operations moving fuel and related products needed to address supply shortages and distribution challenges.
The waiver does not apply automatically to every fuel hauler. Carriers must meet the conditions outlined in the emergency declaration, and the additional operating flexibility is limited to qualifying transportation operations. Motor carriers remain responsible for complying with all requirements not specifically waived by FMCSA.
Fuel supply challenges drive emergency actions
The federal waiver was issued for a limited period and is scheduled to remain in effect through December. Officials have cited global supply disruptions, higher demand and increased operating costs as factors affecting fuel availability and transportation.
Several states have also adopted temporary measures to address regional fuel and agricultural transportation needs. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed Executive Order 26-25 on Oct. 19, allowing fuel trucks to carry up to 10% more weight on state roads and easing certain driving-hour requirements through Nov. 18. State officials said fuel customers and retailers had reported shortages, forcing some haulers to travel farther to locate product.
Separate Iowa harvest emergency remains in effect
Iowa’s separate harvest emergency for agricultural haulers remains in effect through Nov. 7. The order waives state permit requirements for oversize vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer and manure on Iowa highways outside the interstate system.
The Iowa order is separate from the nationwide FMCSA waiver for fuel haulers and applies only to the agricultural transportation activities identified in the state emergency declaration.
