The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a regional declaration exempting truckers providing Tennessee tornado relief supplies from certain regulations.
In response to a tornado that ripped through central Tennessee early Tuesday morning, killing 24, the FMCSA issued a Regional Emergency Declaration. FMCSA pointed to widespread destruction, loss of human life, and the immediate threat to public welfare as reasons for the emergency declaration.
The emergency declaration exempts truck drivers and motor carriers providing “direct assistance” in tornado relief from Parts 390-399 of the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, which include Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
The emergency declaration does not exempt truckers from controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements, commercial driver’s license requirements, insurance requirements, the hazardous material regulations or size and weight requirements.
While the emergency declaration suspends HOS, drivers who report to their motor carrier that they are fatigued must be granted 10 hours of off-duty time.
The FMCSA says that the emergency declaration will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency or until 11:59 p.m. on April 2, 2020.
Please click here to view the Regional Emergency Declaration.