On July 13, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended the HOS waiver for certain truck drivers through August 14. The original waiver was issued in March and has been extended multiple times in the past few months.
What the HOS Waiver Allows
The waiver was originally issued for truck drivers moving necessary goods as part of “direct assistance in support of emergency effectors related to COVID-19.” Over the past few months, the waivers have been removed for some items and goods but remain in effect for a few specific types of loads:
- Livestock and livestock feed
- Medical supplies and equipment for the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19
- Supplies and equipment needed for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectant.
Certain loads are no longer eligible for the HOS waiver including food, raw materials, and liquified gases for refrigeration systems.
What the HOS Waiver Means
The HOS waiver allows drivers to stay on the road and behind the wheel beyond the current HOS guidelines. For drivers hauling allowed goods, they may stay behind the wheel for longer than 14 hours and may exceed the 11 hour maximum typically allowed in a given day.
This waiver does not allow carriers to compel exhausted drivers to stay out on the road. Any driver who informs their carrier they need a rest must receive a 10-hour break before being required to come back on duty. The 10-hour rest is in line with current HOS standards.
It’s up to carriers, fleet managers, and drivers to track the hours driven and with the specified goods allowed in order to qualify for the HOS waiver. The Gorilla Safety app makes tracking, document management, and communication easier than ever.
You’ve already got a big enough job getting much needed goods where they belong. Make sure you’re using the tools to keep yourself and your fleet on track. Contact Gorilla Safety today to learn more.