Friday, May 20, 2022

FMCSA modifies COVID-19 waivers

Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced modifications to the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration.

FMCSA’s Emergency Declaration is set to expire on May 31, 2022, but in the meantime, has been modified to include additional categories of fuel shipments. The modified declaration now includes transportation of the following items:

  • Livestock and livestock feed;
  • Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19;
  • Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19;
  • 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;
  • Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
  • Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethyl alcohol; and heating fuel including propane, natural gas, and heating oil; and
  • Supplies to assist individuals impacted by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., building materials for individuals displaced or otherwise impacted as a result of the emergency).

As with the previous extension, this declaration applies only to 395.3 “Maximum Driving Time for Property-Carrying Vehicles”.

This modified declaration will remain in effect until May 31, 2022, unless extended by FMCSA.

FMCSA has also added FAQs addressing this modification.