News / Korea / yonhap_finance
US DOT Relaxes Trucking Hours-of-Service Rules Amid Record Diesel Prices
Transportation · Trucking · yonhap_finance · 2026-09-17
The US Department of Transportation has temporarily eased driving hour restrictions for fuel haulers to combat supply chain disruptions and record-high diesel costs.
What Happened
Regulatory Relief: The US Department of Transportation has temporarily extended the maximum daily driving limit for fuel transport truck drivers from 14 to 16 hours. This 90-day waiver, effective immediately, is designed to mitigate supply chain bottlenecks as diesel prices hit record highs of $6.29 per gallon.
Drivers of Policy: The move comes in response to rising global oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran and attacks on Russian refining infrastructure. The government aims to ensure a steady supply of gasoline and diesel to meet anticipated seasonal demand spikes in late summer and autumn.
Safety Protocols: Despite the relaxation of driving hours, mandatory rest requirements remain in place to ensure road safety. Drivers requiring immediate rest must be granted at least 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time before resuming operations, maintaining essential safety standards.
Context and Outlook: Similar emergency waivers have been utilized in the past during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain critical supply lines. Given the ongoing constraints in global refining capacity and geopolitical volatility, analysts expect diesel supply to remain tight, potentially necessitating further government intervention to support logistics.