HARRISBURG – State Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler has temporarily waived certain restrictions on commercial drivers to allow for the smooth delivery of heating oil and propane gas to homes and businesses for heating purposes.
This step was taken to ensure that supplies of these products are quickly replenished following the below-normal temperatures and extreme weather Pennsylvania experienced during December. Â
Gov. Edward G. Rendell issued a related disaster emergency proclamation, which is required for driver restrictions to be waived.
Biehler’s action temporarily waives the normal federal hours of service requirements for drivers of trucks carrying these goods. Drivers usually must take a mandatory rest period after 11 hours behind the wheel. Under the declaration, the limit is extended to 14 hours.
Exemption is also granted from the requirements of the 60/70-hour limits rule. The 60/70-hour limits rule requires drivers to stop driving upon accumulating 60 or 70 on-duty hours (including all on-duty and driving time) over a period of 7 or 8 consecutive days, respectively. Any period of 7 or 8 consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.
The waiver will remain in place through Jan. 8.
