FMCSA Issues HOS Exemptions For Oklahoma Disaster Relief

Yesterday, the FMCSA issued HOS exemptions to drivers delivering relief supplies to those affected by the Oklahoma tornado.

The exemption became effective at 10:00 a.m. on May 21 and will expire on June 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. and is for those who are proving emergency transportation of medical supplies and personal, first aid, food, items and fuel.

“This Declaration provides relief for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing emergency relief materials and services to customers in Oklahoma during the emergency. This exemption applies only to operations providing direct assistance to the emergency relief effort,as defined in 49 CFR 390.5 — meaning ‘direct assistance to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives or property or to protect public health and safety.’ Direct assistance terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services not destined for the emergency relief effort or when the motor carrier operation dispatches such a driver or vehicle to another location to begin operations in furtherance of commerce,” the exemption states.

Motor carriers and drivers who have been ordered out of service are not eligible for the the exemption.

To use this exemption, you MUST have a copy of the Declaration in your possession.  Follow this link to print a copy.  

[document file=”http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/alerts/OK-Tornados-Regional-Declaration-5-21-13.pdf” width=”600″ height=”400″]