--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260528-u-s-department-of-transportation-grants-90-day-hours-of-service-waiver-for-fertilizer-haulers-across-35-states/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # U.S. Department of Transportation grants 90-day hours-of-service waiver for fertilizer haulers across 35 states Publication Date: 2026-05-28T17:30:00-04:00 Last Updated: 2026-05-28T07:41:19-04:00 Author: Kim Clarksen (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/kimclarksen/) Categories: [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/) ![a truck with a tanker with slurry is driving at an empty road in the countryside in springtime and a blue sky](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/a-truck-with-a-tanker-with-slurry-is-driving-at-an-empty-road-in-the-countryside-in-springtime-and-a-blue-sky-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) The temporary exemption permits longer shifts and suspends electronic logging device requirements for fertilizer transport during the peak summer season, aiming to ease supply chain pressure and support agriculture. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a temporary waiver exempting fertilizer haulers in 35 states from select federal hours-of-service requirements, giving carriers and drivers greater flexibility during the summer application season. The waiver took effect May 26 and will remain in place through August 26, 2026. It applies to carriers and drivers transporting straight or blended fertilizer products for commercial farming in interstate commerce. The exemption was granted at the request of The Fertilizer Institute. Under the waiver, drivers may operate up to 16 hours within a 24-hour period and are exempt from electronic logging device requirements for duty status reporting. Drivers must still take at least one six-hour sleeper berth break every 24 hours, or an eight-hour break if a sleeper berth is unavailable. Standard federal rules typically limit on-duty periods to 14 consecutive hours and require 10 consecutive hours off duty before a new driving period. The exemption applies to Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. It does not apply to hazardous materials transportation. Corey Rosenbusch welcomed the measure, stating that the temporary flexibility may reduce strain on the fertilizer distribution system and help prevent supply bottlenecks during a critical period for agriculture. The waiver is part of a broader U.S. government initiative to address rising fertilizer costs and supply chain challenges. Recent federal actions include the USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program and reviews of trade measures affecting fertilizer imports. Source: [DTN / FMCSA](https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2026/05/27/fertilizer-prices-fall-first-time-14) Tags: [agriculture](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/agriculture/), [farmers](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/farmers/), [fertilizer transport](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fertilizer-transport/), [FMCSA](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/fmcsa/), [hours of service waiver](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/hours-of-service-waiver/), [mineral fertilizers](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/mineral-fertilizers/), [supply chain](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/supply-chain/), [transit](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/transit/), [transport](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/transport/), [United States](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/united-states/), [USDA](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/usda/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.