The burning school house is still the all-time fave

RICHMOND, Va. — Once again American truckers carrying fireworks for July 4 celebrations are getting special exemption from hours of service rules.

According to the Associated Press, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been granting such an exemption since 2004, and there have been no problems reported as a result.

The exemption covers about 3,000 commercial drivers and about 50 companies carrying about 10 million lbs of fireworks.

Most of the trips delivering the fireworks are short, but in many cases, the driver is the lead technician, so on-duty time includes setting off the pyrotechnics.

The exemption means that a driver whose typical day is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. could work until midnight if he spends two hours on a break before a fireworks show.

Todaystrucking.com is still waiting on word from Transport Canada whether a similar exemption will be granted to Canadian fireworks technicians for Dominion Day, but we’re thinking we already know the answer.