HOURS OF SERVICE AMONG FEDERAL REGS SUSPENDED FOR DRIVERS PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR LA FLOOD

Some federal regulations, including hours-of-service, are suspended for motor carriers and drivers engaged in specific aspects of the Louisiana emergency relief effort.

When Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency August 12, it triggered the suspension of some of the regulations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says, in such cases, “Drivers responding to provide ‘direct assistance’ to an ‘emergency’ [as defined here] meeting the definitions in 49 CFR 390.5 and declared by FMCSA or a governor, are exempt from applicable regulations in all states on their route to the emergency, even though those states may not be involved in the emergency or stated in the declaration of emergency.”

The exemption only applies to regulations in 49 CFR Parts 390-399, and, as the FMCSA notes, only for drivers providing direct assistance.

The FMCSA also asks drivers to use good judgment when operating under temporary exemptions.

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