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FMCSA extends COVID-19 relief, but with new restrictions/additions
2021-09-13T05:00:00Z
On August 31, FMCSA has once again extended (with revision) seven emergency waivers, extensions, and guidance documents enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These documents were due to expire, but the continuing impact of COVID-19 has led the agency to extend them yet again, until November 30. They include the following:
- Extension and amendment of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 under 49 CFR 390.25;
- Guidance on cross-border transportation;
- Waiver for states, CDL holders, CLP holders, and interstate drivers operating CMVs;
- Enforcement policy regarding expiring driver’s licenses and medical examiner’s certificates;
- Three-month waiver for states and CLP holders operating CMVs;
- Frequently asked questions for state driver licensing agencies and commercial drivers regarding permissible actions during the COVID-19 emergency; and
- Waiver for states concerning third party CDL skills test examiners in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
Be sure to read the new documents to ensure compliance. The latest extensions are not identical to earlier ones and include some important new restrictions/additions. For example, number (1) above requires carriers to report their exemption usage to FMCSA within five days after the end of each month!
SOURCE: FMCSA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Resources; FMCSA webpage