Update – Monday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. Central: Two states’ regulations suspensions are set to expire early this week, while some other states not affected by Hurricane Matthew have suspended some of their trucking regulations to help provide aid for the impacted states.
Florida’s emergency declaration, which suspends registration, hours-of-service and size and weight regulations for trucks providing emergency services for the state, expires today, Oct. 10. Georgia’s state of emergency expires Tuesday, Oct. 11. North Carolina’s declaration isn’t set to expire until Nov. 2, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley did not give a date for the declaration to expire.
Virginia’s and Kentucky’s governors have both issued emergency declarations suspending trucking regulations for commercial trucks hauling food, equipment, supplies and more to the states affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Here’s the original story, detailing the suspensions in Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina:
As Hurricane Matthew makes landfall, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina have issued emergency declarations suspending several federal regulations for truckers operating in the states to aid with relief efforts.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a State of Emergency that suspends registration, hours-of-service and size and weight regulations for commercial vehicles entering the state to provide emergency services or supplies, to transport emergency equipment, supplies or personnel, or to transport FEMA mobile homes.
The order states the DOT will issue size and weight permits for divisible loads on vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies and agricultural commodities and citrus as recommended by the Commissioner of Agriculture.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory also issued a State of Emergency suspending hours-of-service regulations, certain size and weight restrictions and certain registration requirements for vehicles transporting equipment and supplies for the restoration of utility services, carrying essentials and for equipment for any debris removal. Vehicle weight must still remain under the maximum GVWR from a vehicle’s manufacturer or 90,000 pounds gross weight, whichever is less, according to the emergency declaration. Tandem axle weight must also remain under 42,000 pounds and single axle weight under 22,000 pounds.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley issued a State of Emergency this week that also suspends regulations pertaining to size and weight up to 90,000 pounds. Any weight above that is required to be permitted from the state. South Carolina’s emergency declaration also waives hours-of-service regulations.
The state of Georgia issued a State of Emergency, but didn’t specifically mention the suspension of any trucking regulations.
