Feds Relax Truck Rules So Fireworks Arrive for Epic July 4th Booms
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The American Pyrotechnics Association wants special permission to relax driver work-hour rules during the busy Independence Day fireworks season from 2025 to 2029. This means drivers can count off-duty time differently and use paper logs instead of electronic ones for about 10 days each year. These changes help fireworks get delivered safely and on time, with public comments open until May 19, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
14-hour limit exclusion for pyrotechnic drivers
The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) asks to let drivers hauling fireworks exclude off-duty and sleeper berth time of any length when calculating the 14-hour on-duty limit during June 28 through July 8 each year from 2025 through 2029. The request covers the motor carriers listed in the notice (44 carriers in the appendix). APA says that without this exemption its members would need to hire a second driver for most trips, which would substantially increase the cost of fireworks shows.
Paper logs allowed instead of ELDs
APA requests that drivers transporting pyrotechnics be allowed to use paper records of duty status (RODS) instead of an electronic logging device (ELD) during June 28 through July 8 each year from 2025 through 2029. This would temporarily suspend the ELD requirement (49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)(i)) for covered carriers during the designated Independence Day period.
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