The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has granted temporary regulatory relief from the hours-of-service requirements for drivers operating commercial motor vehicles that transport heating oil and motor fuels within Ohio. The regulatory relief is effective immediately and will expire at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 22, 2010.

Carriers subject to regulatory relief are not exempt from any other motor carrier safety regulations, including commercial driver licensing, controlled substance and alcohol and testing, and financial responsibility requirements. Carriers must continue to maintain records of duty status and take all measures to ensure that drivers have the ability to safely operate their commercial vehicles.

A copy of the regulatory relief notice must be kept in each affected commercial motor vehicle. The notice is available for download on the PUCO Web site at www.PUCO.ohio.gov.

Hours of service requirements are meant to make sure commercial truck drivers maintain a steady sleep cycle in order to avoid driving while fatigued.