The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted an exemption for specified members of the American Pyrotechnics Association from the agency’s prohibition on driving commercial motor vehicles after the 14th hour after the driver comes on duty. The exemption is applicable during the periods June 28-July 8, 2011, and June 28-July 8, 2012, inclusive.
Drivers who operate applicable CMVs in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day will be allowed to exclude off-duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14 hours. These drivers will continue to be subject to the 14-hour cumulative on-duty limit, the 11-hour driving time limit and the 60- and 70-hour weekly on-duty limits.
FMCSA believes that with the terms and conditions of this exemption in effect, designated APA-member motor carriers will maintain a level of safety that, at a minimum, is equivalent to the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation.
