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FMCSA Updates

FMCSA extends Nebraska emergency declaration (HOS relief) through July 14, 2026

FMCSA’s current emergency declaration listing shows an extension for Nebraska that is effective June 12, 2026 and expires July 14, 2026. For Ohio-based carriers hauling into the Midwest, the practical takeaway is simple: emergency Hours-of-Service relief is not a blanket pass—it only applies when you are providing qualifying direct emergency assistance, and you still must follow other federal safety rules.

What FMCSA posted (dates and scope)

FMCSA’s emergency declaration page lists an extension for Nebraska (Emergency Declaration No. 2026-002) with an effective date of June 12, 2026 and an expiry of July 14, 2026. If your dispatch team is routing freight through Nebraska or moving supplies into an affected area, confirm you are operating under the exact declaration terms before treating a run as exempt from Part 395.

The biggest compliance point: ‘direct assistance’ is required

FMCSA’s guidance is explicit that emergency relief is tied to direct assistance. Drivers responding to provide direct assistance to a qualifying emergency are exempt from applicable regulations in all states on their route to the emergency, even if those states are not named in the declaration. But FMCSA also states that even while a declaration is in effect, the emergency must be ongoing and you must be providing direct emergency assistance in order to be exempt.

What is (and is not) waived for a qualifying run

  • Emergency relief is not a free-for-all. Even during a declaration, FMCSA notes the exemptions only apply to 49 CFR Parts 390–399 (where the HOS rules live).
  • FMCSA states the declaration does NOT exempt you from CDL requirements, drug/alcohol rules, hazardous materials requirements, size/weight limits, or state/federal registration and tax requirements.
  • Build a quick internal checklist: (1) identify the emergency load and destination, (2) document why it qualifies as direct assistance, (3) keep dispatch notes and paperwork in case of a roadside question, and (4) resume standard HOS as soon as the direct-assistance movement ends.
  • If your driver logs are managed via ELD, keep your normal process for supporting documents and retention. If you are unsure how emergency operations interact with your logs, review your internal HOS documentation process alongside your general compliance basics (see MCS-150 biennial update and USDOT number basics for file hygiene).

Action steps for Central Ohio carriers this week

  • Dispatch: If a broker asks you to ‘run under the emergency exemption,’ ask what commodity and destination makes it direct assistance and keep that answer in writing.
  • Drivers: Treat the exemption as temporary and mission-specific; if the trip becomes routine freight, return to normal Part 395 compliance.
  • Owners/safety: If you’re a new authority carrier, be extra careful—early roadside issues can snowball into higher scrutiny. Keep your foundational registrations clean (see UCR registration, IFTA, and IRP).

Source

This update summarizes information published by FMCSA. Government rules, dates, and figures change—always confirm the current details on the official page.

Read the official FMCSA page →

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Asal Business Solutions is a document preparation and compliance filing service. We are not attorneys. This news summary is for informational purposes—confirm current rules on official government sites before acting.