Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers; American Pyrotechnics Association (APA); Granting of Exemption From the 14-Hour Rule

Summary: FMCSA announces the granting of an exemption for 51 member companies of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulation prohibiting drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) from driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty. Fifty-one APA members currently hold such exemptions. APA requests discontinuance of the exemption for 4 carriers, and new exemptions for 4 carriers, with the total therefore remaining at 51. The ``Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act'' (FAST Act) extended the HOS exemptions in effect on the date of enactment of that Act to 5 years from the date of issuance. Because the FAST Act also authorized new exemptions for a period of up to 5 years, the Agency grants 4-year exemptions to 4 additional fireworks companies, ensuring that all 51 exemptions will terminate on July 8, 2020. FMCSA has determined that the terms and conditions of the exemption ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.