FMCSA coordinating with states on Colonial Pipeline exemptions

Having already issued its own Emergency Declaration, which offers relief from several provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for carriers and drivers aiding in the emergency relief efforts stemming from the Colonial Pipeline shutdown, the FMCSA is now coordinating with individual states that have issued their own emergency orders.

The agency has built out its emergency declaration webpage to provide links to each individual state order, many of which provide relief not only from hours-of-service rules but also state weight limits and, in some cases, registration requirements. Florida's emergency order, for example, suspends "the effect of any statute, rule, or order, as needed to allow the establishment of alternate size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles supporting emergency relief efforts by transporting gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products in Florida [and also suspends the] enforcement of the registration requirements pursuant to sections 316.545(4) and 320.0715, Florida Statutes, for commercial motor vehicles that enter the State of Florida to provide gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and any other refined petroleum products."

Carriers providing direct assistance to the emergency relief efforts should check each affected state's orders for details on specific exemptions. If you have any questions about the scope of these exemptions or their applicability to your operations, please contact us.