What type(s) of documentation/evidence is acceptable for a motor carrier to prove that a driver was hauling loads under the emergency declaration?
At roadside, the bill of lading, invoice, or other shipping document describing the cargo would be sufficient. Some cargoes should be given the benefit of the doubt, even if a law enforcement officer can’t really be certain that the load is destined for emergency relief. For example, bottled water, canned or packaged food, bedding and portable cots, relatively basic clothing, auxiliary engines, water pumps, power poles, transformers, wire, lumber, structural steel, etc., could all be used for emergency relief.A carrier using the exemption should prepare right now for a subsequent CR. After the emergency ends, the supporting documents will again be the shipping papers associated with a given movement. FMCSA won’t enforce the HOS rules if there’s real evidence that the trip was part of the emergency relief operation. But the Agency will need something to show that the driver didn’t just decide to ignore the HOS rules. Companies should staple the shipping documents for a trip to the Gulf
