The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has modified and extended the hours-of-service waiver intended to help recovery efforts in Florida and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

On Sept. 28, due to heavy rain, high winds, flooding, and storm surge resulting from Hurricane Ian, FMCSA issued a Regional Declaration of Emergency for eight affected states, which expires today, Oct. 28.

FMCSA said that because emergency conditions are still ongoing in Florida and South Carolina, the agency is extending the emergency declaration through Nov. 28, or until the end of the emergency, whichever is sooner.

Under the waiver, drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts related to Hurricane Ian are exempt from Part 395.3 — maximum driving time — in the hours-of-service regulations.

FMCSA clarified that “direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure or routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration, after the initial threat to life and property has passed.”