Miami, Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Ian approaches, suspending hours‑of‑service rules for carriers entering Florida.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) normally limits commercial truck drivers to 11 hours on the road after 10 consecutive hours off duty. The emergency waiver allows carriers to exceed that limit when transporting emergency equipment, supplies, personnel, or FEMA mobile homes in and out of the state. Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT) has also lifted weight and size restrictions for vehicles carrying fuel, emergency gear, agricultural commodities, and citrus products.

In addition to the regulatory relaxations, Drivewyze, the largest public‑private weigh‑station bypass network in North America, announced a partnership with HAAS Alert. The collaboration integrates HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud into the Drivewyze Connected Truck platform, giving commercial drivers real‑time alerts about vehicles and equipment on the road via the in‑cab application. Brian Heath, Drivewyze CEO, said the new system will give drivers extra reaction time to slow down and move over when approaching roadway operations, helping to avoid potential crashes.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators can now operate beyond the typical 11‑hour on‑road limit while hauling emergency supplies, a change that may shorten the time needed to deliver critical aid. Fleets managing OTR routes can schedule additional stops for FEMA mobile homes without violating FMCSA regulations. Weight and size waivers allow fuel haulers to move larger tankers and citrus carriers to transport oversized loads, reducing the need for route changes or detours.

Industry Reaction

Carrier groups have welcomed the waiver, noting that the ability to move supplies faster can make a decisive difference in disaster response. Many OTR truck drivers already operate under tight schedules, and the temporary relaxation of rules offers a practical solution to meet urgent demands while keeping crews safe. The broader industry recognizes that such emergency measures must be balanced with safety protocols, especially given the heavy traffic expected as residents evacuate.

Key Points

• Hours‑of‑service rules suspended for carriers transporting emergency equipment, personnel, and FEMA mobile homes.
• FDOT waives weight and size limits for fuel, emergency gear, agricultural commodities, and citrus shipments.
• Drivewyze and HAAS Alert partnership delivers real‑time safety alerts to drivers via the in‑cab app.
• Expect increased traffic on highways as residents evacuate and emergency supplies move through the state.

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