The basics6 min read
FMCSA gives gasoline and diesel haulers extra driving hours through mid-December
A temporary federal waiver loosens the normal clock so fuel can keep moving amid tight supplies and fall demand.
On September 16, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a limited waiver of the normal hours-of-service rules for motor carriers and drivers hauling gasoline or diesel fuel in interstate commerce. The waiver runs through December 16, 2026. Transport Topics reported on the action at the end of September as diesel supplies stayed tight and fall agricultural and travel demand rose.
What hours of service normally mean
Hours of service (HOS) are the federal safety rules that limit how long commercial drivers may drive and work so fatigue does not cause crashes. For most property-carrying trucks the everyday limits are straightforward: after 10 consecutive hours off duty, a driver may drive up to 11 hours, but all that driving must fit inside a 14-hour on-duty window. A 30-minute break is required after 8 hours of driving, and weekly on-duty caps (60 hours in 7 days or 70 in 8) also apply. Electronic logging devices track the clock.
What the fuel waiver changes
Under the temporary waiver, covered fuel drivers may drive up to 16 hours in any 24-hour period. They must still take a minimum of 6 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth each 24-hour period (or 8 consecutive hours off duty if the truck has no sleeper). Drivers must carry a copy of the waiver, hold a valid CDL with the right endorsements, and cannot be under an out-of-service order. Carriers with a conditional safety rating are barred from using it. If a driver says they need rest right away, the carrier must let them stop safely and take at least 10 consecutive hours off. The waiver also covers empty return trips to the terminal under the same conditions. It does not erase drug-testing, insurance, hazmat, or other rules.
- Normal property-carrying limit: 11 hours driving inside a 14-hour window after 10 hours off.
- Fuel-hauler waiver: up to 16 hours driving in a 24-hour period, plus required sleeper or off-duty rest.
- Effective September 16 through December 16, 2026, for interstate gasoline and diesel only.
- FMCSA cited global supply disruptions and expected late-summer/fall demand for transportation and harvests.
Sources
- FMCSA Hours of Service Waiver for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel (official)
- Transport Topics: FMCSA issues fuel transport waiver as diesel supplies tighten
- FMCSA Hours of Service overview
The Ro-Mac Brief summarizes public reporting for a general reader. Figures can be revised by the agency that published them. This is not legal advice.
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