Regulatory Guidance Concerning the Transportation of Agricultural Commodities

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces regulatory guidance to clarify the applicability of the "Agricultural commodity" exception in the "Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers" regulations. This regulatory guidance clarifies the exception with regard to: (1) drivers operating unladen vehicles traveling either to pick up an agricultural commodity or returning from a delivery point; (2) drivers engaged in trips beyond 150 air-miles from the source of the agricultural commodity; (3) determining the "source" of agricultural commodities under the exemptions; and (4) how the exception applies when agricultural commodities are loaded at multiple sources during a trip. This regulatory guidance is issued to ensure consistent understanding and application of the exception by motor carriers and State officials enforcing HOS rules identical to or compatible with FMCSA's requirements.