FMCSA Grants 3-Month Nationwide HOS Waiver for Fuel Transport

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a nationwide waiver of Hours of Service (HOS) regulations through December 16, permitting truck drivers transporting motor fuel to operate up to 16 hours per day, a significant increase from the standard 11-hour limit. This emergency measure reflects anticipation of heightened fuel demand during the late summer and fall months, with the government citing the need to prevent supply chain disruptions that could affect gasoline and diesel availability, agricultural operations, and consumer prices at the pump. For supply chain professionals, this waiver represents both opportunity and operational complexity.

Motor carriers can now increase fuel transportation capacity without adding vehicles or drivers, but they must navigate new compliance requirements including mandatory rest periods (6 hours with sleeper berth, 8 hours without) and specific eligibility criteria excluding out-of-service carriers and drivers with conditional safety ratings. The decision by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to emphasize consumer impact, lower fuel costs and protection against shortages, signals that regulatory bodies are prioritizing supply chain resilience over traditional safety constraints. This is the first nationwide HOS waiver since the COVID-19 pandemic's two-year exemption, indicating that fuel supply volatility now ranks among the nation's critical infrastructure concerns.

Logistics providers should prepare for increased utilization of fuel transport assets through year-end, while also ensuring compliance with the new operational parameters to avoid penalties and maintain eligibility.