The FMCSA is reverting to the previous automatic hours of service exemption length according to a final rule published Monday.
The final rule was published on October 5th, and restores the automatic exemption period for truck drivers participating in regional emergency relief to 30 days. The exemption period was shortened to 14 days in October 2023.
According to the rule published to the Federal Register, the month-long exemption period should reduce administrative procedures during periods of disaster recovery by preventing the need for paperwork after only 14 days. The HOS waiver applies to semi trucks directly aiding in disaster recovery, not just to all commercial vehicles operating in the affected area.
While the automatic exemption time period will be 30 days, the FMCSA may designate a shorter or longer emergency period if appropriate.
The FMCSA offers a mathematical formula for calculating the administrative burden on the industry, with the higher number meaning a higher burden and the lower number meaning less. With the 14 day exemption period, the industry burden was calculated to be 896. Under the restored 30 day period, the burden is projected to be only 533 – 363 points less.
The number of waiver extension requests are expected to be cut in half each year with this change.
