[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR350.341]

[Page 31-32]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 350_COMMERCIAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM--Table of 
Contents
 
                            Subpart C_Funding
 
Sec.  350.341  What specific variances from the FMCSRs are allowed for 
State laws and regulations governing motor carriers, CMV drivers, and 

CMVs engaged in intrastate commerce and not subject to Federal 
jurisdiction?

    (a) A State may exempt a CMV from all or part of its laws or 
regulations applicable to intrastate commerce, provided that neither the 
GVW, GVWR, GCW, nor GCWR of the vehicle equals or exceeds 11,801 kg 
(26,001 lbs.). However, a State may not exempt a CMV from such laws or 
regulations if the vehicle:
    (1) Transports hazardous materials requiring a placard.

[[Page 32]]

    (2) Is designed or used to transport 16 or more people, including 
the driver.
    (b) State laws and regulations applicable to intrastate commerce may 
not grant exemptions based upon the type of transportation being 
performed (e.g., for-hire, private, etc.).
    (c) A State may retain those exemptions from its motor carrier 
safety laws and regulations that were in effect before April, 1988, are 
still in effect, and apply to specific industries operating in 
intrastate commerce.
    (d) State laws and regulations applicable to intrastate commerce 
must not include exemptions based upon the distance a motor carrier or 
driver operates from the work reporting location. This prohibition does 
not apply to those exemptions already contained in the FMCSRs nor to the 
extension of the mileage radius exemption contained in 49 CFR 395.1(e) 
from 100 to 150 miles.
    (e) Hours of service--State hours-of-service limitations applied to 
intrastate transportation may vary to the extent of allowing the 
following:
    (1) A 12-hour driving limit, provided driving a CMV after having 
been on duty more than 16 hours is prohibited.
    (2) Driving prohibitions for drivers who have been on duty 70 hours 
in 7 consecutive days or 80 hours in 8 consecutive days.
    (f) Age of CMV driver--All CMV drivers must be at least 18 years of 
age.
    (g) Grandfather clauses--States may provide grandfather clauses in 
their rules and regulations if such exemptions are uniform or in 
substantial harmony with the FMCSRs and provide an orderly transition to 
full regulatory adoption at a later date.
    (h) Driver qualifications:
    (1) Intrastate drivers who do not meet the physical qualification 
standards in 49 CFR 391.41 may continue to be qualified to operate a CMV 
in intrastate commerce if the following three conditions are met:
    (i) The driver was qualified under existing State law or regulation 
at the time the State adopted physical qualification standards 
compatible with the Federal standards in 49 CFR 391.41.
    (ii) The otherwise non-qualifying medical or physical condition has 
not substantially worsened.
    (iii) No other non-qualifying medical or physical condition has 
developed.
    (2) The State may adopt or continue programs granting variances to 
intrastate drivers with medical or physical conditions that would 
otherwise be non-qualifying under the State's equivalent of 49 CFR 
391.41 if the variances are based upon sound medical judgment combined 
with appropriate performance standards ensuring no adverse affect on 
safety.