Five States Issue Emergency Exemptions In Wake of Propane Shortage

In the wake of a propane shortage, five states have issued emergency HOS exemptions for those who are transporting relief supplies.

The FMCSA has coordinated with the states– Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota– to declare emergency declarations.

The FMCSA recommends drivers check each state’s department of transportation website for up-to-date information on the exemptions.

The FMCSA says that those carriers or drivers interested in providing services or need to understand FMCSA regulations, the following applies:

Emergency Declaration Information:
To provide vital supplies and transportation services to a disaster area in the United States, emergency declarations may be issued by the President, Governors of States, or FMCSA. These declarations trigger the temporary suspension of certain Federal safety regulations, including Hours of Service, for motor carriers and drivers engaged in specific aspects of the emergency relief effort. See 49 CFR 390.23 for the actual emergency regulation.

Relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is limited to a maximum of 30 days, unless extended by FMCSA itself.

The information below reflects currently available relief:

1. These Federal exemptions, when in effect, only apply to 49 CFR Parts 390-399. They do NOT apply to CDL, drug/alcohol, hazardous materials, size & weight, or State/Federal registration and tax requirements. (However, a Governor’s Declaration may add some of those exemptions—read the declaration for details.)
2. Even if an Emergency Declaration is still in effect, the emergency must be on-going and you must be providing direct emergency relief in order to be exempt from safety regulations.
3. The list of Emergency Declarations below may not be complete. Declarations may be in effect even if not listed here.
4. Drivers and carriers should coordinate with State and Federal emergency officials before providing assistance.
5. Even though safety regulations may be suspended, drivers and carriers are expected to use good judgment and not operate vehicles with fatigued or ill drivers, or under any conditions presenting a clear hazard to other motorists using the highways.

Contact Information

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established a toll free hotline at 1-877-831-2250 for anyone seeking inquiries pertaining to FMCSA Regulations during a declared disaster.

For more information on effective and expiration dates, follow this link to the FMCSA’s emergency exemption page.