# 2026-00268: Truckers Get Extra Emergency Days: Bureaucracy's Rare Act of Kindness?

2026-00268, Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-01-09, effective Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2026. (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00268
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00268
- Title: Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 940
- Published: 2026-01-09
- Effective: Comments must be received on or before March 10, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2126-AC77
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Truckers Get Extra Emergency Days: Bureaucracy's Rare Act of Kindness?

## Summary

The FMCSA wants to change emergency exemptions for truck drivers from 14 days back to 30 days after a state emergency is declared. This affects drivers and companies relying on these rules during emergencies, giving them more time for relief. Comments on this change are open until March 10, 2026, so speak up if you’re impacted!

## Abstract

In response to several petitions for reconsideration, FMCSA proposes to revise from 14 days to 30 days the length of the emergency relief automatically triggered subsequent to a regional declaration of emergency by a Governor of a State, their authorized representative, or FMCSA. This proposal would reverse one change made by a final rule published in October of 2023.

## Effects PRIA read

- Emergency Exemptions Extended to 30 Days: benefit, medium. FMCSA is proposing to change the automatic emergency exemption that currently lasts 14 days back to 30 days when a Governor (or their authorized representative) or FMCSA declares a regional emergency. The exemption would still only apply to hours-of-service rules in 49 CFR 395.3 and 395.5 and only…
- Fewer Extension Requests, Small Cost Savings: benefit, high. By reverting the automatic exemption to 30 days, FMCSA expects fewer requests to extend emergency exemptions. FMCSA cites prior estimates that reducing extension requests could save motor carriers up to $1,011 per year and reduce Federal review costs by up to $1,589 per year based on the October 20…
- Relief Limited to HOS Rules Only: cost, low. The proposal keeps the emergency exemption limited to only the hours-of-service regulations in sections 395.3 and 395.5 and only for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance during the emergency. The exemption will also end if the Governor's declared emergency ends earlier than the ex…

## Related documents

- [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27
- [2026-20734](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20734): Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for Exemption From Aurora Operations, Inc (USDOT #341156), 2026-10-09
- [2026-20649](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20649): Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20524](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20524): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-07
- [2026-20476](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20476): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers: Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-06
- [2026-20325](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20325): Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration, 2026-10-05

## Sources
- [2026-00268 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/09/2026-00268/clarification-to-the-applicability-of-emergency-exemptions-response-to-petitions-for-reconsideration)
- [2026-00268 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-09/pdf/2026-00268.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00258, Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Ohio Permit Rules Revisions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00258)
- [Next: 2026-00299, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00299)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00268 (as of 2026-06-11).