Overview
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is coordinating with the following states that have Declared Emergency Declarations. We recommend you check each State's Web site and search for "Issued Emergency Declarations" if you are interested in more details. For those carriers or drivers interested in providing services or who need to understand FMCSA regulations, the following applies.
Category
Emergency Declaration Information
To provide vital supplies and transportation services to a disaster area in the United States, emergency declarations may be issued by the President, Governors of States, or FMCSA. These declarations trigger the temporary suspension of certain Federal safety regulations, including Hours of Service, for motor carriers and drivers engaged in specific aspects of the emergency relief effort. See 49 CFR 390.23 for the actual emergency regulation.
Relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is limited to a maximum of 30 days, unless extended by FMCSA itself.
The information below reflects currently available relief:
- Drivers responding to provide "direct assistance" to an "emergency" meeting the definitions in 49 CFR 390.5 and declared by FMCSA or a governor, are exempt from applicable regulations in all States on their route to the emergency, even though those States may not be involved in the emergency or stated in the declaration of emergency.
- These exemptions, when in effect, only apply to 49 CFR Parts 390-399. They do NOT exempt drivers/carriers from the requirements relating to CDL, drug/alcohol, hazardous materials, size & weight, or State/Federal registration and tax requirements. (However, a Governor's Declaration may add some of those exemptions—read the declaration for details.)
- Even if an Emergency Declaration is still in effect, the emergency must be on-going and you must be providing direct emergency assistance in order to be exempt from safety regulations.
- The list of Emergency Declarations below may not be complete. Declarations may be in effect even if not listed here. Read the declaration itself for all details.
- There is no requirement to carry a copy of the declaration in the vehicle unless stated so in the declaration itself.
- Drivers and carriers should coordinate with State emergency officials before providing assistance. State regulations regarding size and weight, permits, taxes, etc. may not have been waived.
- Even though safety regulations may be suspended, drivers and carriers are expected to use good judgment and not operate vehicles with fatigued or ill drivers, or under any conditions presenting a clear hazard to other motorists using the highways.
Federal Emergency Declarations by Service Center
Southern Service Center
State Emergency Declarations by State
Alabama
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
State of Emergency due to the gas line explosion in Shelby County, Alabama; specifically for 49 CFR Part 395 as it relates to pipeline repair and transportation of fuel | 10/31/2016 | 11/30/2016 |
Florida
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 16-230 (Emergency Management - Hurricane Matthew) | 10/3/2016 | 10/10/2016 |
Florida Issues Emergency Order due to Tropical Depression #9 | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
DIVISION OF FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT Executive Order 16-205 Tropical Depression #9 | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
FDOT BRIDGE RESTRICTIONS - APRIL 2016 | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
Florida Department of Transportation TROPICAL DEPRESSION NUMBER 9 EMERGENCY ORDER (Pursuant to Executive Order No. 16-205) | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER (Emergency Management - Tropical Depression #9) | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
Emergency Road Use Permit | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
BRIDGE RESTRICTIONS | 8/31/2016 | 10/30/2016 |
Georgia
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Declaration of State of Emergency due to the primary fuel pipeline incident resulting in a potential shortage of transportation fuel Suspension of Part 395 of Title 49 | 11/1/2016 | 11/15/2016 |
Declaring a State of Emergency in preparation for the effects of Hurricane Matthew | 10/4/2016 | 10/11/2016 |
Executive Order Issued due to Temporary Shutdown of Fuel Pipeline | 9/13/2016 | 9/17/2016 |
Iowa
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Gov. Branstad signs formal disaster proclamation for 13 counties affected by flooding in Iowa | 9/23/2016 | 10/22/2016 |
Kentucky
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Declaration Of Emergency For Damage Caused By Hurricane Matthew Official Order N0. 110418 | 10/7/2016 | 11/7/2016 |
Louisiana
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Louisiana Declares State of Emergency due to Heavy Rain and Flooding | 8/12/2016 | 9/10/2016 |
Michigan
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Extension of Emergency Declaration Issued due to Ongoing Energy Emergency | 7/12/2016 | 9/9/2016 |
North Carolina
South Carolina
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Executive Order Number 2016-26 Waiving Weight and HOS Limitations During State of Emergency | 10/4/2016 | TBD |
Executive Order Issued due to Temporary Shutdown of Fuel Pipeline | 9/14/2016 | 9/21/2016 |
Tennessee
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
ORDER DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY OF FUEL | 9/16/2016 | 9/23/2016 |
Virginia
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Governor McAuliffe signs emergency order ahead of Matthew | 10/6/2016 | 11/6/2016 |
DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA DUE TO HURRICANE HERMIN | 9/2/2016 | 11/30/2016 |
Wisconsin
Description | Effective | Expires on |
---|---|---|
Wisconsin Emergency Declaration Extended due to Ongoing Energy Emergency | 7/7/2016 | 9/9/2016 |