Federal Emergency Declaration in response to COVID-19: FMCSA safety regulation exemptions

EMERGENCY DECLARATION
UNDER 49 CFR ยง 390.23
No. 2020-002

THE FIFTY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The President has declared an emergency under 42 U.S.C. 5121, et seq., and pursuant to 49 CFR 390.23(a)(l)(i), an emergency exists that warrants an exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), except as otherwise restricted by this Emergency Declaration. Such emergency is in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) outbreaks and their effects on people and the immediate risk they present to public health, safety and welfare in the fifty States and the District of Columbia. This Declaration addresses National emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons, and provides necessary relief from FMCSRs for motor carriers and drivers engaged in the transport of essential supplies, equipment and persons.

By execution of this Emergency Declaration, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks are granted emergency relief from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, except as restricted herein. Direct assistance means transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver(s) incident to the immediate restoration of essential services, such as medical care, or essential supplies such as food, related to COVID-19 outbreaks during the emergency.

Click to read the entire emergency declaration.