Regulation & policy
Hours of service, licensing, emissions rules, enforcement and the politics behind them.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA extends automatic emergency hours-of-service relief from 14 to 30 days
A final rule effective Oct. 5, 2026 lengthens automatic hours-of-service relief after a regional emergency declaration from 14 to 30 days. Petitions are due Nov. 4.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA seeks comment on a 16-week split sleeper berth study with 256 drivers
FMCSA's October 7 notice asks for comment by December 7 on a study of 5/5 and 6/4 sleeper berth splits; it changes no hours-of-service rule.
- Regulation & policy
EPA extends Texas diesel sulfur waiver through Nov. 13 for older engines
EPA renewed its Texas diesel waiver on Oct. 20, extending it through Nov. 13, 2026 for certain older highway and nonroad equipment. The first waiver ran through Oct. 24.
- Regulation & policy
FMCSA seeks comment on a study of pausing the 14-hour driving window
FMCSA's October 6 notice seeks comment by December 7 on a 256-driver study of pausing the 14-hour driving window for up to 3 hours.
- Regulation & policy
FDA extends 510(k) exemption to federal-program use for 14 drug test types
An FDA order effective October 6, 2026 removes the federal-programs carve-out from the 510(k) exemption for 14 types of clinical toxicology test systems.
- Regulation & policy
D.C. Circuit hears challenge to FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL rule
A D.C. Circuit panel heard argument on September 15 in the challenge to FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL rule. Two trade outlets reported that the judges questioned the agency's visa exemptions. No ruling yet.
- Regulation & policy
Ottawa announces federal fuel excise suspension will run to January 31, 2027
Finance Canada says the federal fuel excise suspension will run to January 31, 2027, then half rates to March 31. It gives the diesel rate in that window as 2 cents a litre, against 4 cents in full.
- Regulation & policy
Transport Canada exemption lets certified fuel haulers reach 84 on-duty hours in seven days
An amended Transport Canada exemption, ASF-2026-03E, lifts the cycle limit to 84 on-duty hours in seven days for notified carriers and certified drivers hauling fuel in four provinces.