Steel Haulers Get 16-Hour Shifts and Weird Trucks: Approved!
Published Date: 9/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is giving Cleveland-Cliffs Steel LLC a temporary green light to let their truck drivers work longer shifts—up to 16 hours straight—when moving steel coils and scrap metal between company sites. They’re also allowed to keep using special trucks that don’t meet some usual safety rules, but only for steel coil hauling. This exemption runs from late September 2026 to March 2027, and the public can share their thoughts by the end of October.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Drivers allowed up to 16-hour duty periods
If you are an employee-driver with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) working for Cleveland-Cliffs, you may be allowed to work up to 16 consecutive hours in a duty period and may return to work after at least 8 hours off when moving steel coils or scrap metal between the company’s production and shipping locations. The consolidated, provisional exemption is effective September 23, 2026, through March 23, 2027.
Special coil carriers exempt from certain safety rules
Cleveland-Cliffs’ specialized coil-carrier commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are allowed to continue operating without meeting several parts-and-accessories rules (including the definition of a “heavy hauler trailer,” rear side marker lamp height in 393.11 Table 1 Footnote 4, tire loading restrictions in 393.75(f), and the commodity-specific cargo securement rules in 393.120), but only when hauling steel coils at the company's specified crossings. This limited exemption runs September 23, 2026, through March 23, 2027.
Exemption limited to two short crossings
The exemption may be used only when moving steel coils or scrap metal at two specified public-road crossings: Riley Road (about 80 feet of travel) and the intersection of Dickey Road and 129th Street (about 0.2 mile of travel). Cliffs reports it averages approximately 32 crossings per day at each location. Use of the exemption is limited to movement between portions of the company’s East Chicago facility.
State law preemption while exemption in effect
While the exemption is in effect (September 23, 2026 through March 23, 2027), no State may enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with or is inconsistent with the terms of the exemption for persons operating under it. States may choose to adopt the same exemption for intrastate operations but are not required to do so.
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