United States eases driving hour limits for fuel truck drivers

The U.S. Department of Transportation is implementing a 90-day waiver to relax hours-of-service rules for truck drivers transporting gasoline and diesel. Under the new temporary regulations, drivers may operate for up to 16 hours within a 24-hour window, an increase from the previous 14-hour limit, provided they take mandatory rest breaks.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited concerns regarding supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs. The decision follows a record increase in U.S. diesel prices, which reached $6.29 per gallon compared to $3.74 a year ago. Global supply tightness is attributed to factors including Russian export bans, limited refining capacity, and geopolitical tensions affecting oil-producing regions.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stated the move aims to respond to anticipated increases in fuel demand during late summer and fall, while mitigating impacts on agricultural harvesting and transport providers. Motor carriers with conditional safety ratings are excluded from this waiver.