FMCSA Fuel Hauler Hours Waiver Extended Through Dec. 16


   
Daniel Rodriguez Huerta
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   CALGARY, CANADA (DTN) -- A waiver remains in effect for trucks hauling 
gasoline and diesel due to high fuel prices, easing federal hours-of-service 
limits for their drivers through December 16, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Administration (FMCSA) said in the waiver.

   FMCSA, part of the Department of Transportation, issued the waiver in 
mid-September (9/16), and it took effect that day. Administrator Derek D. Barrs 
signed it.

   The agency said it granted the waiver in anticipation of a need for more 
hours-of-service flexibility for fuel haulers in late summer and most of the 
fall if fuel demand rises above levels seen earlier in the year. FMCSA cited 
global supply disruptions and "acute fuel supply issues." It said the waiver 
aims to ease impacts on the cost and availability of fuel for transportation 
service providers, agricultural harvesting and the traveling public.

   The waiver suspends the limits in 49 CFR 395.3 for motor carriers and 
drivers moving gasoline and diesel in interstate commerce. That rule limits the 
hours a driver may operate a commercial motor vehicle hauling property.

   Conditions for the waiver include that operators may not drive more than 16 
hours per 24-hour period and must take a 6-hour sleeper berth break, or 8 hours 
off duty without one. Carriers with conditional safety ratings or 
out-of-service orders are ineligible. Also, states cannot enforce conflicting 
laws with the waiver.

   FMCSA said about 29% of total U.S. energy consumption in 2025 went to 
transportation, and petroleum products supplied about 89% of transportation 
energy use, based on Energy Information Administration (EIA) annual reports. 
Federal law limits this type of waiver to three months.

   According to EIA,  retail diesel prices dropped 14.7cts to $6.382 gallon 
during the week ended September 28, retreating from $6.529 gallon the prior 
week. This was $2.628 above levels seen in the same period the prior year.




(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.