Suspension of Service-Hour Rule Is Extended for Truckers

A temporary suspension of rules for truckers’ service hours during the coronavirus crisis was extended by more than a month to May 15, a federal agency said.

Hours-of-service relief was provided for motor carriers and drivers transporting essential supplies, equipment, and people as part of Covid-19 relief efforts, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said. The original emergency declaration (No. 2020-002) was issued March 13 and expanded March 18, with an initial expiration date of April 12.

The expanded order (No. 2020-02a) adds to the list of motor carriers and drivers for whom hours-of-service relief is available those transporting liquified gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems.

So, the expanded order now covers those transporting:

• liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems;
• medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19;
• supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of the virus, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants;
• food, paper products, and other groceries for restocking of stores and distribution centers;
• raw materials, such as paper, plastic or alcohol for making supplies and equipment;
• fuel;
• equipment, supplies, and people necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities;
• people designated by federal, state, or local officials for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and
• people necessary to provide other coronavirus-related medical or emergency services.

Excluded from the temporary rules are drivers making routine commercial deliveries and those transporting mixed loads that include supplies, equipment, or people unrelated to the pandemic.