COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has issued an executive order which he says will help with some of the supply chain issues taking place in the state and across the country.
The order, sent Tuesday, suspends or relaxes rules and regulations related to commercial vehicles. It also allows the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety to wave applications and enforcement of some federal and state rules on registration on hours of service for those vehicles.
This includes rules on the amount of hours commercial drivers can drive. However, while the rules are being relaxed, the order says this isn't to be misconstrued as allowing a fatigued driver to be on the road. Drivers can say they need immediate rest, and if they do, they can get 10 hours of off-duty time.
It also suspends some regulations on registration and size of commercial vehicles. The order also calls on state agencies to evaluate statues and regulations that could be modified to help with supply chain problems.
The governor believes these moves will allow cargo to move more efficiently statewide.
McMaster also issued a statement asking the Biden Administration to suspend regulations to allow 18-year-olds to become commercial drivers.