The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has yet again extended its exemption from certain regulations for interstate truckers who are hauling Covid 19 emergency relief supplies to May 31.
The exemption applies to Parts 390-399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which include requirements dealing with hours of service; inspection, repair and maintenance; driving and parking rules; and certain driver qualifications.
Under the exemption, FMCSA said it would not take enforcement action for certain expired commercial driver licenses (CDLs), commercial learner permits (CLPs) and medical certifications.
The previous exemption order had been due to expire on Feb. 28. It is not clear at this point when the agency ultimately will choose to end the exemption which was initially issued by the agency in March of last year.
“In the interest of ensuring continued commercial motor vehicle safety, it is FMCSA’s intention to wind down the exemptions granted under this Emergency Declaration and related Covid 19 regulatory relief measures to the extent possible,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Meera Joshi.
The exemption applies to truckers who are hauling vaccines, medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of Covid 19. Also covered are supplies of medical equipment that are deemed necessary for community safety, sanitation and prevention of community transmission of the virus, such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.
It also applies to food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores, along with road transportation of both livestock and livestock feed.
FMCSA says the exemption does not apply to routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads “with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of the emergency declaration.”