Trump Administration Extends Trucker Hours to Lower Fuel Costs

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a 90-day emergency waiver on September 16 that relaxes hours-of-service rules for truck drivers transporting gasoline and diesel. The measure increases the allowable daily operating window from 14 to 16 hours within a 24-hour period, effective through December 16. The waiver applies only to motor carriers in good standing and excludes those with conditional safety ratings.

The Trump administration implemented the waiver to prevent supply chain disruptions and restrain energy costs. Diesel prices reached record highs between $6.29 and $6.40 per gallon, driven by the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. President Donald Trump stated that these higher costs are a necessary consequence of efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though he suggested prices would decrease after the midterm elections.

Industry leaders warned that the timing is critical due to the fall harvest and rising demand for heating oil on the East Coast. Don Schaefer of the Mid-West Truckers Association noted that refinery disruptions in the Midwest have further stressed regional supply chains. He warned that the dramatic increase in diesel prices will force transportation providers to pass costs to consumers through higher rates and fuel surcharges.