FMCSA announced today several extensions of the COVID-19 Emergency Waivers and Declarations. 

EMERGENCY DECLARATION

FMCSA’s Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on August 31st has been extended until November 30th.  This extension includes reporting requirements for drivers and motor carriers utilizing the exemptions. Additionally, modifications have been made to this declaration, and additional commodities have been included in the list below. Please review the details to ensure compliance.

The declaration published today is limited to the transportation of: 

  1. Livestock and livestock feed;
  2. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19;
  3. Vaccines, constituent products, and medical supplies and equipment, including ancillary supplies/kits for the administration of vaccines, related to the prevention of COVID-19;
  4. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; and,
  5. Food, paper products, and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
  6. Gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethyl alcohol; and, 
  7. Supplies to assist individuals impacted by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., building materials for individuals displaced or otherwise impacted as a result of the emergency).

This declaration applies only to 395.3 “Maximum Driving Time for Property-Carrying Vehicles”. This declaration becomes effective at 12:00 a.m. September 1, 2021 and expires November 30, 2021 unless modified or terminated sooner.

Reporting Requirements: The notice directs motor carriers that voluntarily operate under the terms of this extension and amendment of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 to report within 5 days after the end of each month their reliance on the Declaration.  To report, motor carriers will access their portal account at https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login. We strongly encourage everyone to review the applicability, restrictions, and limitations.

CDL/CLP/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE EXTENSIONS
FMCSA has extended the CDL/CLP/Medical Certificate waivers under certain circumstances. Details on the applicability can be found here. Please note, state agencies may choose not to extend the validity periods for CDL/CLPs. Carriers and drivers should check with their state agencies to ensure compliance.

THIRD-PARTY CDL TESTING
Additionally, FMCSA has extended waivers related to third-party CDL skills test examiners. Details can be found here.

As always, carriers and drivers should review the details of these waivers to ensure applicability and compliance.

August 31, 2021