The FMCSA has issued a national emergency declaration to provide HOS relief to commercial vehicle drivers who are transporting critical resources in response to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19).

The declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations directly supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs, such as:

  • Food – for emergency restocking of store/grocery stores
  • Equipment, supplies and personnel – for creation and management of temporary housing and quarantine facilities
  • Medical supplies – equipment related to testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
  • People – designated by authorities for transport needed for medical, isolation or quarantine
  • Personnel – needed to provide medical or other emergency services

The emergency declaration also states that truckers must receive a minimum of 10 hours off-duty if transporting property, and eight hours if transporting passengers, once they have completed their respective delivery for products, services, or passengers as noted above.

For more information, visit the FMSCA website: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002