Several States Waiving Trucking Rules for Fuel Shipments
UPDATED, Jan. 9, 2013, 9:45 a.m., EST Extraordinarily cold weather in part of the U.S. has resulted in more states issuing emergency declarations, waiving mainly hours of service rules, when it comes to hauling various fuels.
UPDATED, Jan. 9, 2013, 9:45 a.m., EST -- Extraordinarily cold weather in parts of the U.S. has resulted in more states issuing emergency declarations, waiving mainly hours of service rules, when it comes to delivering various fuels.
The Ohio Public Utilities Commission on Monday issued a waiver of HOS regulations for truckers hauling, motor fuels, propane and home heating oil. It is in effect through Jan. 10.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety has issued a special waiver when it comes to hours of service regulations involving in emergency relief efforts. It is in effect through Jan. 13.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has issued a waiver of federal hours of service rules for those huling propane that is in effect through Feb. 5.
In Arkansas, Gov. Mike Bebe has issued an order waiving hours of service rules for propane. It is in effect until Jan. 17 or until emergency conditions no long exist, whichever is sooner.
In Maine, Gov. Paul LePage has issued similar orders when it comes to deliveries of propane as well as other fuels, including diesel. The order is an extension of one issued in mid-December and is in effect through Jan. 18.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on Jan. 2 issued a waiver of hours of service rules for those delivering most fuels. It is in effect through Jan. 7.
There are three orders in New Jersey. One was issued Jan. 2 by Gov. Chris Christie, that is a general emergency order, while one has been extended through Jan. 31, waiving hours of service for propane and other heating fuel deliveries. The third covers truckers delivering rock salt and is in effect through Feb. 8.
There is also one for Michigan that is in effect through Jan. 10 for propane shipments, along with one in Minnesota that is in effect through Jan. 8 and in New Hampshire that remains in effect through Jan 11.
Finally, an order issued just before Christmas in Vermont remains in effect through Jan. 13, waiving hours of service rules for deliveries of propane.
Jan. 9, 2013, 9:45 a.m. update adds NJ rock salt waiver.
Jan. 8, 2013, 5:57 p.m update adds Ohio, Oklahoma and Missouri waivers along with New Jersey extending a current waiver.
More Drivers

Truck Drivers Need More Than Another Alert
Fleets have more visibility into truck health, safety events, and driver activity than ever. The next challenge is turning all that information into useful guidance for the person who has to decide what to do next.
Read More →
FMCSA Removes 110 Truck Driver Training Schools from Certified ELDT List
Federal regulators also are targeting more than 160 additional training providers and launching a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers as part of a broader crackdown on trucking fraud.
Read More →
Hours of Service Pilot Programs: FMCSA Readies for 2027 Rollout
Two pilot programs could eventually reshape hours-of-service rules, giving truck drivers options to pause their 14-hour clock or use longer split sleeper rest periods.
Read More →
Medical Cards, English Proficiency Reshape Roadcheck Violations
Medical-card violations jumped to the top of the driver out-of-service list during CVSA’s 2026 International Roadcheck, while English-language proficiency violations appeared among the leading violations for the first time.
Read More →
Driver Trust Can Make or Break the Success of Fleet Safety Technology
New Teletrac Navman research suggests that onboarding, transparency about driver data, and positive feedback can play a significant role in how commercial drivers respond to safety and coaching technology.
Read More →
EEOC Sues KLLM Over Alleged Sex Discrimination in Driver Training
KLLM is facing a federal sex-discrimination lawsuit over policies the EEOC alleges put female truck driver trainees at a disadvantage.
Read More →
FMCSA Moves to Codify English Language Requirements for Commercial Drivers
By changing regulations on English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, rather than relying on a guidance memo, the FMCSA said future administrations won't be able to walk back the Trump administration's stricter enforcement with just a memo.
Read More →Drivers Put Western Star Trucks to the Test at Star Nation Experience
Watch to get an inside look at the Western Star trucks, technology, and community behind the Star Nation Experience 2026!
Read More →
Trump Administration Looks to Put More Veterans Behind the Wheel
The Freedom Haulers program pulls together existing and expanded programs at several federal agencies to recruit veterans to drive commercial heavy-duty trucks and cut the red tape for them to get a CDL, training, and employment.
Read More →
Putting Mack’s Command Steer to the Test
A test drive of Mack’s Command Steer active steering system evaluates how it can make truck driving easier and less tiring.
Read More →
