31-18-303. Authority of department to adopt rules and regulations governing drivers, equipment and hazardous materials; exceptions; maximum operating hours.

(a) The department shall adopt rules and regulations prescribing the permissible operating time and other requirements of motor carrier drivers, equipment and the transportation of hazardous materials which are consistent with comparable regulations of the United States department of transportation.

(b) Public utility personnel and associated emergency personnel are exempt from driving time regulations only if an emergency exists. If an occasion or instance jeopardizes public health or safety or endangers property, an emergency situation exists. In such an event, if public utilities and associated emergency personnel respond, they are exempt from driving time regulations if the public utility exercises due diligence in contacting state or local officials, and documents its efforts.

(c) Unless exception is made by the department after public hearings held pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, the rules of the department shall be current with rules adopted by the United States department of transportation, as now or hereafter amended.

(d) Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 183, § 2.

(e) Intrastate, for-hire transportation of passengers in vehicles with an occupant capacity of seven (7) or more, but not more than fifteen (15), is subject to the hours of service requirements of 49 CFR Part 395 as it applies to vehicles with occupant capacities of fifteen (15) or more, as adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.