News Flash

2.18.21 Winter Storms Emergency Declaration

Regional Emergency Declaration Under 49 CFR § 390.23 No. 2021-001

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
February 17, 2021

REGIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION
UNDER 49 CFR § 390.23
No. 2021-001

ARKANSAS, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MINNESOTA, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, NEW YORK, NORTH CAROLINA, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA,  RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING

In accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR § 390.23, the Regional Field Administrators for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Midwestern, Southern, and Western Service Centers hereby declare that an emergency exists that warrants issuance of a Regional Emergency Declaration and an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCSRs), except as otherwise restricted in this Emergency Declaration.  Such emergency is in response to damage and heating and other fuel shortages from severe winter storms in the Affected States.  

Posted in All News, COVID-19, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 2.18.21 Winter Storms Emergency Declaration

2.17.21 FMCSA extended the Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on February 28th.

FMCSA extended the Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on February 28th.

This extension includes the same regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to COVID-19, as included in the December 1st declaration.

The expanded declaration 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.

Please note this expanded declaration becomes effective at 12:00 A.M. February 17th, and expires on May 31st, 2021.

Posted in All News, COVID-19, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 2.17.21 FMCSA extended the Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on February 28th.

2.11.21 Governor Parson Signs Executive Order 21-03 Relaxing Hours of Service for Residential Heating Fuel Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2021

Governor Parson Signs Executive Order 21-03 Relaxing Hours of Service for Residential Heating Fuel Transportation

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 21-03 temporarily relaxing hours of service regulations for commercial motor vehicles transporting residential heating fuels.

“With unseasonably cold temperatures impacting much of the state and nation, the demand for heating fuel only continues to rise. This has resulted in significant delays in the distribution of residential heating fuels, especially propane,” Governor Parson said. “In order to meet this need and protect the well-being of Missourians, we must ensure that our truck drivers have enough time to distribute heating fuel to homes and businesses across the state.”

Current federal and state regulations limit the number of hours commercial truck drivers can operate to 11 consecutive hours. Executive Order 21-03 temporarily suspends these regulations for motor carriers transporting heating fuel such as propane, natural gas, and heating oil. …

Posted in All News, COVID-19, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 2.11.21 Governor Parson Signs Executive Order 21-03 Relaxing Hours of Service for Residential Heating Fuel Transportation

12.30.20 MODOT ‘back on track’ despite COVID-19, but a long road lies ahead

MODOT ‘back on track’ despite COVID-19, but a long road lies ahead

As the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses and limited demand for travel during the spring and summer, the Missouri Department of Transportation faced a potentially dire loss of revenue.

Funds from MoDOT’s three main sources of revenue — motor fuel taxes, vehicle sales taxes, and license and registration fees — were all down.

The motor fuel tax, which can account for upwards of 45% of total state transportation revenue, dropped significantly because of the roughly 50% reduction in traffic statewide that lasted for months, MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna said.

Because of the way the department operates, much of its construction work is locked into multi-year contracts. While halting construction projects may alleviate costs in the short term, it would only increase costs in the long term.
Posted in All News, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 12.30.20 MODOT ‘back on track’ despite COVID-19, but a long road lies ahead

10.15.20 October 16th is BUPD Day!

 
October 16 Is Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri
Public Invited to Attend Virtual Event, Encouraged to Take BUPD Pledge
 
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Mike Parson has proclaimed Oct. 16 as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri and fellow Missourian and former race car driver Carl Edwards is lending his famous name to the cause, all in an effort to encourage Missourians to take two simple actions to save lives on the state’s highways – fasten their seatbelts and put their phones down while driving.
As part of the promotion, Missourians are invited to join in a virtual BUPD Day kickoff event that will launch at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16 on MoDOT’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/MoDOTStatewide. In addition to Parson and Edwards, participants include Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna, Missouri State Highway Patrol Col. Eric Olson and AAA Public Affairs Specialist Nick Chabarria.
      They will be joined by two crash survivors from ThinkFirst Missouri – Chad Kitzman and Chad Burton – who will provide their personal perspective on the perils of texting while driving and riding in a vehicle without a seatbelt.
Posted in All News, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 10.15.20 October 16th is BUPD Day!

9.23.20 Medical exam and certification expirations extended

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently published another extension of the medical examination and certification requirements due to the on-going effects of COVID-19.

The documents of drivers whose medical examinations originally expired on Mar. 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 will remain valid through Oct. 31, 2020. This is beyond a previously announced extension date.

Drivers whose medical exam documents expire June 1, 2020 or later, remain valid through Dec. 31, 2020.

Drivers must have had a valid medical examination/certification that was issued for a period of 90 days or more to be eligible for the extensions.

Though the FMCSA also made it possible for states to extend CDL expiration dates, Missouri did not accept and adopt this portion of the waiver.

Find the text of the waiver on the FMCSA website.…

Posted in News Flash | Comments Off on 9.23.20 Medical exam and certification expirations extended

9.18.20 FMCSA Emergency Declaration for ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Southern Service Center

1800 Century Blvd., Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA  20245

September 15, 2020

AMENDED REGIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION
UNDER 49 CFR § 390.23
No. 2020-006

ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

In accordance with 49 CFR § 390.23, the Regional Field Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Southern Service Center hereby declares that an emergency exists that warrants issuance of a Regional Emergency Declaration and an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), except as otherwise restricted in this Emergency Declaration.  Such emergency is in response to Tropical Storm/Hurricane Sally, and the current and anticipated effects on people and property, including immediate threat to human life or public welfare from heavy rains, high surf, flooding and high winds.  This Declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation of supplies, goods, equipment, fuel and persons and provides necessary relief.  

Posted in All News, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 9.18.20 FMCSA Emergency Declaration for ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

9.18.20 CCD Wildfire Service Update

CCD Wildfire Service Update (Correction)

This email has been updated with additional links in the Over-Dimension Permits information section.

As Oregon continues to deal with wildfires, Commerce and Compliance Division (CCD) would like to remind motor carriers of the best ways to utilize CCD services and find updated information on the ongoing situation. CCD is here to serve throughout the emergency.

Please note, due to the ongoing situation, we are currently operating with reduced staff resulting in longer wait times on the phone. We apologize for any delays in service that may occur. Here are other ways to get service without waiting on the phone:

Oregon Trucking Online: We encourage carriers to utilize Oregon Trucking Online to conduct business. If you have questions or need further assistance, please use the “Contact Us” link on our website to send an email.

Over-dimension Permits: We have been and will continue to issue permits.…

Posted in All News, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 9.18.20 CCD Wildfire Service Update

9.14.20 FMCSA Update

Extension of the Modified Expanded Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 Under 49 CFR § 390.25

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration         
September 11, 2020

EXTENSION OF THE MODIFIED EXPANDED
EMERGENCY DECLARATION No. 2020-002
UNDER 49 CFR § 390.25

THE FIFTY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hereby declares that the continuing national emergency warrants the extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002.  This extension continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the fifty States and the District of Columbia as set forth below.  This notice extends the exemption through December 31, 2020, subject to the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Extension.

Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 was issued following the declaration of a national emergency by the President pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 5191(b) in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the public health emergency declared by the Health and Human Services Secretary, and the immediate risk COVID-19 presents to public health and welfare.  

Posted in All News, GOVERNMENT Action, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 9.14.20 FMCSA Update

9.8.20 Free for Drivers All September

Pilot Company thanks all professional drivers for their tireless work to supply goods across North America. To show appreciation, Pilot is turning National Driver Appreciation Week, Sept. 13 – 19, into a month-long celebration with free drinks and deals exclusively for professional drivers all September.

From Sept. 1 – 30, professional drivers will find exclusive offers in the Pilot Flying J app, including:

  • Free drinks every day
  • Free showers all month with September Shower Power after one 75+ gallon fill
  • Earn up to four points per gallon when activating Push4Points
  • Free JPRO diagnostics test at Pilot Flying J Truck Care service centers

To redeem the promotions, professional drivers simply save the offers in the Pilot Flying J app* and visit any of the 750 company-operated stores in the U.S., including Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers, Pilot Flying J Truck Care locations and participating One9 Fuel Network locations**.…

Posted in All News, Industry News, News Flash | Comments Off on 9.8.20 Free for Drivers All September