FMCSA COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Bottom Line: FMCSA’s Hours of Service Waiver is limited to COVID-19 relief, and includes weekly reporting requirements.

On May 13^th, FMCSA extended and expanded its longstanding nationwide emergency declaration to waive the hours of service requirements for entities providing direct relief to COVID-19 facilities and related businesses.  FMCSA expanded the declaration to include the transportation of propane and heating oil.  However, the declaration is not similar to hours of service waivers that the propane industry receives during the winter heating season.  Unlike, traditional waivers, the COVID-19 declaration requires companies to report routes and drivers that utilized the declaration.  These reports are due to FMCSA every five-days for as long as the company utilizes the declaration.  NPGA cautions propane companies to carefully review the terms and conditions of the COVID-19 declaration to ensure that the declaration is applicable to the customers served and that the company’s transportation operations adhere to the additional requirements of the declaration.  NPGA did not exercise advocacy to obtain the declaration or support the terms applied by FMCSA. The COVID-19 Emergency Declaration is available online here.  Questions? Contact NPGA Vice President, Regulatory & Industry Affairs Sarah Reboli.