49 CFR § 381.320 - How long will it take the agency to respond to my application for an exemption?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s381.320"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 381.320 - How long will it take the agency to respond to my application for an exemption?"
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "381.320"
section_name: "How long will it take the agency to respond to my application for an exemption?"
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS"
part_number: "381"
part_name: "WAIVERS, EXEMPTIONS, AND PILOT PROGRAMS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 31136(e), 31315; and 49 CFR 1.87."
regulatory_source: "63 FR 67608, Dec. 8, 1998, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "381"
---


# 381.320 How long will it take the agency to respond to my application for an exemption?

The agency will attempt to issue a final decision within 180 days of the date it receives your application. However, if you leave out important details or other information necessary for the FMCSA to prepare a meaningful request for public comments, the agency will attempt to issue a final decision within 180 days of the date it receives the additional information.