US FMCSA expands fuel hauler hours-of-service waiver

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has expanded its hours-of-service (HOS) waiver to include ethanol, denatured ethanol, and heating oil. The amendment follows requests from industry groups, such as the Renewable Fuels Association, to prevent logistical bottlenecks in fuel blending and distribution.

The waiver allows eligible interstate commercial drivers to operate for up to 16 hours within a 24-hour period. This measure is intended to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions caused by rising costs, seasonal agricultural harvests, and increased travel demand.

The expanded relief remains effective through December 16, 2026. Under the terms of the waiver, carriers must track participating drivers and report any qualifying crashes to the FMCSA within two business days. The relief does not apply to carriers with a conditional safety rating or those under an out-of-service order.