U.S. eases fuel truck driver hour limits amid diesel supply and cost pressures

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U.S. eases fuel truck driver limits

Highlights

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expands fuel truck drivers’ operating window to 16 hours from 14 amid short-term supply chain disruptions.
The temporary waiver aims to address record U.S. diesel prices at $6.29 a gallon, up from $3.74 last year, and prevent broader transport impacts.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cites tight global diesel supplies due to limited refining capacity, Russia's export ban, and seasonal demand spikes.

Waiver expands operating window for fuel haulers

As reported by Reuters, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the administration is relaxing hours-of-service rules for drivers transporting gasoline and diesel because short-term supply chain disruptions could slow fuel shipments and affect broader freight deliveries.

The waiver allows eligible drivers to operate up to 16 hours within a 24-hour period, compared with 14 hours under current rules, provided they still take required rest breaks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says the action is taken in anticipation of a need for greater flexibility as markets respond to global supply disruptions and expected seasonal increases in fuel demand.

Motor carriers with conditional safety ratings are excluded from the measure. The agency also says any driver needing immediate rest may take 10 consecutive hours off duty before returning to work.

Fuel market strain and broader transport impact

The department says the temporary change is also intended to limit pressure on fuel costs and availability for transport providers, agricultural harvesting and consumers as demand grows. The move comes as the average U.S. diesel price reaches a record $6.29 a gallon, up from $3.74 a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Global diesel supplies are expected to remain tight because of limited spare refining capacity, Russia's export ban and the approach of peak winter demand. The administration also points to the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries as factors squeezing supply.

Temporary service waivers of this kind have previously been used during emergencies including wildfires, hurricanes and winter storms. In March 2020, a national emergency order suspended service requirements for commercial vehicle drivers transporting coronavirus relief goods, emergency food restocks and protective equipment.

Record-high U.S. diesel prices have been tightening cost pressure across trucking and rail, with companies warning of higher freight expenses and broader inflation spillovers. Our publication previously noted that firms such as J.B. Hunt expected earnings to be hit as volatile fuel markets and rising operating costs squeezed margins, especially heading into peak seasonal demand.

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