THE Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has relented and issued a 50-state waiver to the Hours of Service (hos) rule for commercial vehicle drivers moving goods related to the coronavirus scare, reports New York's FreightWaves.
Rescinding the unpopular rule comes on the back of numerous state waivers for intrastate transportation. It will last until the end of the day on April 12 or until the end of the emergency declared Friday by President Trump, whichever is sooner.
FMCSA's order is sweeping. And while there are numerous freight movements that wouldn't fall under it, there are plenty that will.
Possibly the most important waiver that will affect truckload carriers will be the one that impacts equipment and supplies of food for the emergency restocking of stores.
State trucking association authorities contacted by FreightWaves all said that the strain on the trucking system created by the enormous need to restock stores stripped bare by hoarders.
The order specifies the waiver applies to equipment and supplies of food for the 'emergency restocking of stores.'
The surge in demand for trucking can best be seen in the rise in SONAR'S Outbound Tender Volume Index, which has rocketed over the past few weeks even as economic activity in the US. slows due to the COVID-19 scare.
Other exemptions to HOS will cover the following, according to FMCSA: Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for healthcare worker, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of coronavirus spread in communities.
WORLD SHIPPING
Rescinding the unpopular rule comes on the back of numerous state waivers for intrastate transportation. It will last until the end of the day on April 12 or until the end of the emergency declared Friday by President Trump, whichever is sooner.
FMCSA's order is sweeping. And while there are numerous freight movements that wouldn't fall under it, there are plenty that will.
Possibly the most important waiver that will affect truckload carriers will be the one that impacts equipment and supplies of food for the emergency restocking of stores.
State trucking association authorities contacted by FreightWaves all said that the strain on the trucking system created by the enormous need to restock stores stripped bare by hoarders.
The order specifies the waiver applies to equipment and supplies of food for the 'emergency restocking of stores.'
The surge in demand for trucking can best be seen in the rise in SONAR'S Outbound Tender Volume Index, which has rocketed over the past few weeks even as economic activity in the US. slows due to the COVID-19 scare.
Other exemptions to HOS will cover the following, according to FMCSA: Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for healthcare worker, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of coronavirus spread in communities.
WORLD SHIPPING