Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers; Application for Renewal and Expansion of American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Exemption From the 14-Hour Rule During Independence Day Celebrations

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) has requested a renewal for 50 APA member-companies of its exemption from FMCSA's regulation prohibiting drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) from driving after the 14th hour after coming on duty, and the expansion of its exemption to 5 additional carriers. The exemption would apply solely to the operation of CMVs by these 55 APA-member companies in conjunction with staging fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day during the periods June 28-July 8, 2015, and June 28-July 8, 2016, inclusive. During these two periods, approximately 3,200 CMVs and drivers employed by these companies would be allowed to exclude off- duty and sleeper-berth time of any length from the calculation of the 14-hour driving window. These drivers would not be allowed to drive after accumulating a total of 14 hours of on-duty time, following 10 consecutive hours off duty, and would continue to be subject to the 11- hour driving time limit, and the 60- and 70-hour on-duty limits.