Exemption of HOS

Dear Trimble Customer,

On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a state of emergency related to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

In response to this declaration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a press release to announce hours of service exemptions for drivers delivering goods that are directly related to combating the COVID-19 outbreak. This exemption includes food retailers and wholesalers who are transporting groceries, cleaning and medical supplies, and other specific items noted in the declaration to stores. In accordance with. 49 CFR § 390.23, this declaration is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until the termination of the emergency (as defined in 49 CFR § 390.5) or until 11 :59 P.M. (ET) on April 12, 2020, whichever occurs sooner.

Excerpt from the above release:

This Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations that are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; (3) food for emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (5) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

We are ready to support our customers that are subject to this declaration. For those drivers who qualify for this exemption please direct them to use the Emergency Exception, as outlined by US 49 CFR §390.5 or US §395.1 (b) (2). The Emergency Exception is set up on a per day basis, so drivers who would like to use this exemption will need to do so daily until the declaration is no longer in effect.

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