Washington, D.C. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended its 40‑state winter emergency declaration until February 20, giving truckers relief from strict hours‑of‑service limits while they deliver supplies to storm‑hit areas. The move follows the original Jan. 23 declaration that was set to expire Feb. 6.

Winter storms have rattled the nation, forcing state and local governments to call on commercial fleets for emergency supplies, food, and fuel. Trucking has always been the backbone of that response, but the federal hours‑of‑service rules normally cap drivers at 11 hours of driving per day and 60 hours in any seven‑day period. The FMCSA’s waiver removes those caps for qualifying emergency relief work, allowing crews to keep moving when every minute counts.

Under the extension, FMCSA is waiving Part 395.3 of the federal hours‑of‑service regulations, the section that limits maximum driving time for property‑carrying commercial motor vehicles. Drivers and motor carriers who provide direct assistance to winter emergency relief may exceed normal driving limits regardless of where a trip begins, as long as the movement supports relief within a covered state. The waiver does not apply to routine freight or non‑emergency operations; once a driver finishes providing direct assistance, the standard hours‑of‑service rules immediately resume.

What This Means for Drivers

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