Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
FMCSA proposes to scale back regulatory relief during declared emergencies
According to a notice scheduled to be published in the Federal Register soon, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing to "narrow the scope of regulations from which relief is provided automatically for motor carriers providing direct assistance when an emergency has been declared."For decades, the agency's regulations have granted fairly broad regulatory relief to those providing direct assistance to "emergency relief efforts" following emergency declarations issued
Brandon Wiseman
COVID-19 emergency HOS exemption lapses
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has chosen not to renew its Covid-19 emergency declaration that had been in place since March 2020 and provided some regulatory relief (primarily HOS-related) for carriers and drivers transporting certain commodities as part of the emergency relief efforts like vaccines, food supplies, etc. The declaration, which the agency had renewed several times over the past two years, expired on October 15th. According to the FMCSA's website, "There a
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA evaluating continued need for COVID emergency declaration
In a notice posted to the Federal Register on September 6, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking comments from regulated motor carriers concerning their use of the existing COVID-19 emergency declaration and exemption, in an effort for the agency to determine whether it should continue to renew that declaration going forward. The FMCSA first issued the declaration on March 13, 2020, offering a fairly broad exemption from various parts of the federal safety regu
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA declares regional emergency due to Midwest BP refinery fire
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a Regional Emergency Declaration in response to the "the unanticipated shutdown of the BP Whiting refinery as a result of a fire on August 24, 2022 that affects the supply of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel throughout the Affected States." According to sources, the fire affected utilities to multiple units at BP's largest Midwest refinery and has caused a tightening in the regional wholesale supply of fuel. The FMCSA's declaratio
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA issues exemption to carriers hauling baby formula
In a notice posted May 23, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) declared a national emergency related to the closure of a key manufacturing facility for baby formula and the resulting nationwide formula shortage. According to the notice, "th[e] Emergency Declaration addresses nationwide emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation of baby formula, ingredients for the production of baby formula including but not limited to whey, casein, corn syrup and
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA extends COVID-19 national emergency declaration
FMCSA has again extended its COVID-19 emergency declaration, now through November 30, 2021.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA coordinating with states on Colonial Pipeline exemptions
The FMCSA is working with individual states that have issued their own emergency orders in response to the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA issues emergency FMCSR exemption for certain fuel transporters
FMCSA issues emergency safety regulation exemption for fuel haulers in response to Colonial pipeline shutdown.
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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