FMCSA Waives Certain HOS Regulations in Anticipation of Snow Storm Fern

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hereby declares that an emergency exists that warrants issuance of a Regional Emergency Declaration and provide emergency regulatory relief from certain requirements in Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). This Emergency Declaration is issued in response to severe winter storms and cold temperatures substantially below normal in the Affected States and the current and anticipated effects on people and property, including the immediate risk to public health, safety and welfare. This Emergency Declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation relating to the restoration of essential services and essential supplies. The Affected States and jurisdictions (Affected States) in this Emergency Declaration are: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

By execution of this Emergency Declaration, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts involving transportation and other relief services incident to the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services in the Affected States are granted emergency relief from 49 CFR § 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles, and 49 CFR § 395.5, maximum driving time for passenger-carrying vehicles, subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein. The regulatory relief under this Emergency Declaration applies regardless of the origin of the trip, so long as the carrier or driver is providing direct assistance to the emergency in the Affected States. Direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure after the initial threat to life and property has passed, nor does it include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of the Declaration.

For more information including restrictions and conditions see: ESC-MSC-SSC-WSC - Regional Emergency Declaration - No. 2026-001 - 01-22-2026 | FMCSA

For CVSAs Emergency Declaration Updated Map See: CVSA Emergency Declarations