Regulation change · Oct 5, 2026
From 5 October 2026, when a governor or FMCSA declares a regional emergency, drivers giving direct assistance are relieved of the hours-of-service limits for 30 days instead of 14.
The relief removes the hours cap, not the fatigue risk: the duty not to require or permit a fatigued driver to drive still applies. Separately, from 12 October 2026 drivers outside Alaska can no longer rely on a paper medical certificate; carriers must check the electronic record.





















