HARRISBURG – To ensure that much-needed heating fuel can reach Pennsylvanians with no interruptions, PennDOT 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.
“With the repeated winter-weather events and bitterly cold temperatures Pennsylvania has endured recently, Governor Corbett has acted quickly so homeowners and businesses see no interruption in having their heating needs met,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “This temporary waiver will allow drivers some extra time behind the wheel and avoid potential delivery delays.”
The 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. The limit for driving hours 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 seven or eight consecutive days, respectively. Any period of seven or eight 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. 25.