Cleveland‑Cliffs Steel Exemption Renewal: Impact on Hours of Service and Vehicle Requirements

Cleveland‑Cliffs Steel Exemption Renewal

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced on September 30, 2026 that it will provisionally renew and consolidate two exemptions that had been granted to Cleveland‑Cliffs Steel LLC (Cliffs). The renewal covers hours‑of‑service rules and certain parts and accessories requirements for the company’s specialized vehicles.

Who Is Affected

Under the renewal, Cliffs’ employee drivers who hold a commercial driver’s license and transport steel coils or scrap metal between the company’s production and shipping sites may work up to 16 consecutive hours in a duty period. They must return to work only after at least eight hours off duty when necessary.

What Carriers Should Check

The exemption also lets Cliffs keep using specialized coil‑carrier commercial motor vehicles that do not meet the definition of a heavy‑hauler trailer. These vehicles are exempt from the height of rear side marker lamps, tire‑loading restrictions, and the commodity‑specific cargo securement rules that normally apply to metal coils.

Interpretation: The relief from 49 CFR part 393 applies only to Cliffs’ coil‑carrier vehicles. All other trucks, such as those used for scrap, remain subject to the standard parts and accessories requirements. Carriers that operate similar equipment should verify whether their vehicles fall under the same exemption or must comply with the full regulation.

Uncertainty and Next Steps