Measures aimed at safely and effectively continuing the flow of vital medical supplies throughout the nation. Additional steps have been taken by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to make more truck drivers eligible to haul critical supplies during the Coronavirus outbreak, including the extension of hours-of-service (HOS) exemptions. The suspension of licensing enforcement in limited circumstances.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced on March 13 that it was granting an exemption to commercial drivers from Sections 390-399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which control hours of service, parts, and accessories necessary for safe operation and longer combination vehicles.

FMCSA also reminded the operators that the driver must be allowed at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time before a driver is obliged to return to the engine carrier terminal or the normal reporting location after a return drive to the terminal or at some point notifies the fleet management that they need immediate resting.

On 24 March, the agency announced that such expired commercial driver licenses (CDLs), trade student licenses (CLPs), and medical certificates would not be enforced until 30 June. FMCSA said this was a step forward since several offices in the State Department of Motor Vehicles were closed and workers were told to remain at home.

The continued operation of transport and supply networks and our nation’s security and economic stability is vital to ensure that drivers are available to operate commercial motor vehicles in the course of a national emergency report,’ said FMCSA.

If the driver is otherwise qualified to drive under federal regulations, similarly, without a current medical certificate, a driver can only drive without proof of valid medical certification on and after February 29, 2020.

Earlier, the US Trucking Associations and the National Retail Federation urged Trump to take these and other measures to eliminate supply chain blockages generated by initiatives taken by federal, state, and local governments to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Conclusion:

FMCSA has taken an important step to let drivers. Some of the carriers like us Global Multi Services know how to address things like expired commercial driver’s licenses or medical cards. We at Global Multi Services helps to keep the drivers moving critical goods safely and with state governments moving to remote works and shuttle offices, the guidance today is a step towards ensuring they move.