FMCSA Extended Deadline Ends August 31

FMCSA is extending its COVID-19 waivers through August 31 

Arguably the most important COVID-19  waiver for the agricultural community that has been extended is the waiver from hours-of-service rules.  Please note: not all agricultural products qualify for the COVID-waiver.

Even if some agricultural products don’t qualify for the COVID-19 waiver, they probably qualify for the agricultural exemption to hours-of-service rules for the portions of the hauls that are within 150 air-miles of the origin of the shipment.  Below is text on which products qualify for the COVID-19 waiver from hours-of-service rules.

Extension through August 31, 2021 of the expanded modified Emergency Declaration continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, such as hour-of-service rules.  
The extension of the expanded modified Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to COVID-19 and is limited to transportation of  (1) livestock and livestock feed; (2) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (3) vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19; (4) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; and (5) food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores. Direct assistance does not include non-emergency transportation of qualifying commodities or routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration. To be eligible for the exemption, the transportation must be both (i) of qualifying commodities and (ii) incident to the immediate restoration of those essential supplies.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS
 FMCSA1-Extension of Emergency Declaration 2020-002 – Final – May 26 21

FMCSA2-FMCSA CDL and MEC Waiver – Final – May 26 21

FMCSA3-FMCSA CLP Waiver – Final – May 26 21

FMCSA4-NEDD for SDLAs – Parts 383-384 General Provisions – Final – May 26 21

FMCSA5-NEDD on Expiring CDLs and MECs – Final – May 26 21

FMCSA6-Third Party Skills Tester Waiver – Final – May 26 21