Regulatory Guidance Concerning the Transportation of Agricultural Commodities

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces regulatory guidance to clarify the applicability ofthe "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 ofthe 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 ofthe exception by motor carriers and State officials enforcing HOS rules identical to or compatible with FMCSA's requirements.