FMCSA Issues National Emergency Declaration

Hours of service regulatory relief applies to all fifty states and the District of Columbia

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency supplies and persons in response to the nationwide coronavirus outbreak.

The declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:

  • Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 coronavirus.
  • Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for healthcare worker, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 spread in communities.
  • Food for emergency restocking of stores.
  • Equipment, supplies and persons necessary for establishment and management of temporary housing and quarantine facilities related to COVID-19.
  • Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for transport for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes.
  • Personnel to provide medical or other emergency services.

Motor carriers or drivers currently subject to an out-of-service order are not eligible for the relief granted by this declaration until they have met the applicable conditions for its rescission and the order has been rescinded by FMCSA.

After completion of a trip, passenger carrier drivers must have 8 hours off -duty before resuming driving duties (see declaration for full details).

To review the FMCSA Declaration. click here.


To participate in a UMA survey regarding pain points and best practices for bus and motorcoach operators, click here.

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