Hours of Service of Drivers: Application of Illumination Fireworks, LLC and ACE Pyro LLC, for Exemption From the 14-Hour Rule During Independence Day Celebrations

Summary: FMCSA announces its decision to grant exemptions to Illumination Fireworks, LLC and ACE Pyro, LLC (the applicants) from the requirement that drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must not drive following the 14th hour after coming on duty. The exemptions will apply solely to the operation of 50 CMV drivers employed by the applicants in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day during the periods June 28-July 8, 2014, inclusive. During this period, the CMV drivers employed by the applicants will be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on-duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and would continue to be subject to the 11-hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty limits. The Agency has determined that the terms and conditions of the limited 1- year exemptions will ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemptions.