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Breaking News - US DOT Announces Relief of Hours of Service

Mar. 13 2020 Announcements By Carrie LeBlanc

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Breaking news courtesy of Idealease Truck Leasing and Rental. 

US DOT Announces Relief of Hours of Service Regulations for CMV’s Delivering Relief in Response to COVID-19

On Friday, the FMCSA issued a national emergency declaration to provide HOS (Hours of Service) regulatory relief to CMV drivers in response to the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak. This marks the first time the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued nation-wide relief. 

The declaration is intended to help drivers and commercial motor carriers get essential goods and supplies to impacted areas quicker and more efficiently.  These efforts are intended to meet immediate needs for: 

  • COVID-19 Medical supplies and equipment for testing, diagnostic and treatment purposes
  • Medical supplies and equipment for healthcare workers, patients and community safety, such as: masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soaps and disinfectants to help minimize the spread of COVID-19
  • Food for emergency restocking
  • Equipment and supplies for establishment and management of quarantine facilities and temporary housing
  • Persons designated by Federal, State or Local Authorities for transport for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes
  • Personnel to provide medical or other emergency services

Safety is still a concern for our nation's roadways. The emergency declaration states that drivers must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty for the transportation of property and 8 hours for the transportation of passengers once his/her delivery is complete. 

Click here for more information and to read the FMCSA's National Emergency Declaration

Download a PDF version of the Emergency Declaration here

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