CHEYENNE, Wyo. - As Wyoming and other parts of the country face ongoing diesel fuel shortages, Gov. Dave Freudenthal is allowing commercial drivers more flexibility in the hours they spend behind the wheel in order to ease fuel deliveries in Wyoming.

Freudenthal exercised his authority for an emergency exemption from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which currently limit to 14 the number of hours a driver can be on-duty and drive a commercial motor vehicle. The executive order is attached in PDF format.

However, in this time of diesel shortage, drivers find themselves forced to travel long distances and spend several hours waiting in line, which quickly eats up their allotted time. Freudenthal’s executive order allows them, for the next 30 days, to distinguish between drive time and general “on duty” time and allows them 11 hours drive time in a 24-hour period.

“This action is intended to respond to the diesel shortage and make it possible for both the agricultural community as well as the transportation community to continue to do their jobs notwithstanding the delays in receiving fuel,” Freudenthal said.

Wyoming Department of Transportation Director John Cox added that safety remains the first priority for state officials. “This temporary exemption preserves this priority, but allows needed flexibility to allow our diesel distributors to make their deliveries,” Cox said.