Hours of Service Waiver until February 6, 2022

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an Emergency Declaration for motor carriers with operations impacted by a reduction in commercial vehicle drivers because of COVID-19 infections. The Emergency Declaration waives the hours-of-service requirements for commercial vehicle operations delivering propane and other heating fuels in response to winter storms and high demand from consumers.  

This waiver covers both interstate and intrastate travel within the state. This has been confirmed by FMCSA, PennDOT, and PA State Police. There is no additional action required by the state at this time. PA State Police, PA Public Utility Commission, and PA Local Police Motor Carrier Inspectors have received a copy of the waiver with the explanation that it also applies to intrastate travel within Pennsylvania.

The FMCSA Emergency Declaration applies to: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The waiver is in effect through February 6, 2022. Please make sure to keep a copy of the waiver in your vehicles. 

Please see Emergency Declaration for complete details.

Please note: FMCSA’s DC office checked with FMCSA offices in each state to inquire if they were experiencing driver issues due to COVID and winter demand. FMCSA is open to updating the waiver in the coming weeks to potentially include other states.

Separately, FMCSA extended the nationwide emergency declaration to support operations that continue to provide direct assistance to COVID-19 relief efforts. FMCSA defines direct assistance as “transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver(s) incident to the immediate restoration of essential services (such as medical care) or essential supplies related to COVID-19 during the emergency.” FMCSA cautions that the waiver is not applicable to routine commercial deliveries. Download the Extension to the COVID-19 Relief Emergency Declaration

Guidance on emergency declarations and waivers by the National Association of State Energy Officials is available HERE.