USCA / LMA: Temporary Hours of Service Exemption for Livestock Haulers
(March 18, 2020) — Due to the COVID-19 emergency relief effort, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has exempted livestock haulers from compliance with federal Hours of Service rules that limit drive time until at least April 12. Drivers wishing to haul under this exemption are suggested to print out and keep in their cab a copy of the Expanded Emergency Declaration, available here.
The Expanded Emergency Declaration provides relief to those drivers hauling “food” and “immediate precursor raw materials… that are required and to be used for the manufacture of … food.” The Livestock marketing Association (LMA) has received official interpretation from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation that ALL livestock movement fits these exemption definitions. Once the driver has returned to the their “normal reporting location,” the driver must still receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty to rest.
PRINT THE EXEMPTION LETTER
About the United States Cattlemen’s Association
Established in 2007, USCA is committed to enhancing and expanding the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.
About the Livestock Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s largest membership organization dedicated to supporting, representing and communicating with and for the entire livestock marketing sector. LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.LMAWeb.com.