Date: June 30, 2025
As heating demand rises during cold months, a coalition of lawmakers and industry leaders is petitioning the FMCSA to proactively ease hours‑of‑service (HOS) rules for propane haulers—even before emergencies strike.
Why This Matters for Drivers
- During winter peaks, fuel delivery needs spike dramatically, stretching drivers to limits. Without HOS flexibility, critical supplies (like propane, heating oil) often get delayed.
- Groups like the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), backed by over 30 lawmakers, argue a preemptive HOS waiver could keep drivers on the road when communities need them most.
What Provoked the Request
- In a letter dated June 10, U.S. Reps. Mike Bost and Mike Collins, alongside colleagues, urged FMCSA to adopt automatic 5-day HOS relief ahead of predicted disasters.
- They emphasize the need for uniform federal waivers, rather than patchwork state relaxations, to support seamless interstate hauling.
Balance Between Safety & Urgency
- Truckers worry: will longer hours improve delivery speed without compromising safety?
- Proponents highlight lessons from previous HOS waivers (e.g., for heating-fuel and live-chicken haulers) that safely extended duty limits in emergencies.
- Critics raise valid concerns about driver fatigue and crash risk, especially if waivers are misused or too broadly applied.
What This Means for Drivers
- If approved, drivers hauling propane/hazardous fuels could:
- Extend daily drive windows (e.g., from 14 hrs to 16)
- Lift weekly on-duty caps during emergency periods
- FMCSA still requires that waivers apply only to “direct assistance” deliveries—not general freight runs. They also cap use and require safety controls like rest breaks and logging.
- Driver takeaway: Stay informed—sign up for FMCSA alerts and fleet bulletins so you’ll know when waivers apply and how they affect your logbooks.
📢 At Extra Transportation, we believe strategic HOS relief can help drivers deliver critical heat in winter—when lives depend on it. But safety should always come first. Keep sharp, stay rested, and let regulations support you—not risk you.