Let Freedom Ring, and Follow the Rules

Merlbourne, Fla.— In anticipation of the 4th of July weekend the following updates have been released by the state’s administration regarding motorists in or entering our state’s limits and other modifications.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a nationwide Waiver in response to the COVID-19 National Emergency for States, CDL Holders, CLP Holders, and Interstate Drivers Operating Commercial Motor Vehicles that will be in effect from July 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020. Important Enforcement Points contained in the FMCSA Waiver:

Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLP) that were valid on February 29, 2020, but expired on or after March 1, 2020, have validity extended until September 30, 2020.

Drivers with evidence of a medical examiner’s certificate and any required medical variance that was valid on February 29, 2020 and expired on or after March 1, 2020, shall not be cited for failure to maintain medical examiner’s certificate through September 30, 2020.

The FMCSA waiver applies to CDL’s and CLP’s issued by all United States jurisdictions.

FMCSA also continues to recognize the validity of commercial driver’s licenses issued by Canadian Provinces and Territories and Licencias Federales de Conductor issued by the United Mexican States, when such jurisdictions issue a similar notice or declaration extending the validity date of the medical examiner’s certificate and/or validity of the corresponding commercial driver’s license due to interruption to government service resulting from COVID-19

For motorists entering Florida onI-95, The Florida Highway Patrol is assisting the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) with checkpoint for motorists entering Florida on I-95. To assist the public, the Florida Department of Health has a COVID-19 Call Center to address questions regarding vehicle checkpoints. Please call 1-866-779-6121 for questions. To date, more than 43,300 traveler forms have been collected at the I-95 checkpoint.

FLHSMV Executive Director Rhodes has waived commercial truck hours of service regulations and other related regulations so that emergency supplies, equipment, commodities and resources can be moved more quickly and efficiently throughout the state.

Also, the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, launched a website to verify the identity of claimants who have been locked out of their CONNECT account, the online system for processing Reemployment Assistance claims. Individuals who were locked out of their CONNECT account have been notified and provided a direct link to verify their information so they can access their account.

Last but not least, Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation issued Informational Memorandum OIR-20-05M reminding insurers of applicable statutes regarding workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation insurers are expected to comply with all of the provisions of Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law. The Office is also directing all insurers and other entities regulated by OIR to review and update their business continuity and/or continuity of operations plans. Companies are directed to immediately contact OIR if their continuity plans are activated and/or if business operations become compromised so it can work with insurers to avoid any disruption in consumer services.

Give us a call for a consultation (321) 329-5556 and one of our local truck insurance specialists will be more than happy to walk you through all of your options.

Hector Perez, Producer

Email Hector Call 407-203-7085