Regulatory Update – March 22, 2019

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Announces Meeting of UCR Plan Board of Directors
On March 21, 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan Board of Directors will hold a public meeting on March 28. The meeting will be open to the public by conference call.

FMCSA Corrects ELDT Final Rule
Also on March 21, 2019, FMCSA published a correction to the entry-level driver training (ELDT) final rule that was originally published on March 6, 2019. The change corrects an error to ensure that regulatory text matches the outlined changes in the notice. The corrected final rule is effective March 6, 2019.

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On March 12, 2019, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

Update on Exemptions

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. Members can access the document by logging into their CVSA member portal and clicking on the “Exemptions” tab at the top of the page.

CVSA Letters, Petitions and Comments to Rulemakings

CVSA Submits Comments to the Department of Agriculture Listening Session on Implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill Provisions on Hemp
On March 13, 2019, CVSA submitted comments to a listening session on the implementation of the hemp provisions in the Agricultural Improvements Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) hosted by the Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. CVSA’s comments focused on the challenges that states face with reconciling state laws and current practices related to the transportation of hemp with the new federal law.

CVSA Submits Rear Impact Guard Label Petitions
Also on March 13, 2019, CVSA submitted petitions to FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remove the labeling requirement on rear impact guards. Currently, rear impact guards are required to have a manufacturer label that certifies that the guard meets the required standards. Due to normal wear and repairs, rear impact guards that physically meet the safety requirements may be found in violation because they do not have a readable label. The current requirement outlines that the label must be provided by the manufacturer of the rear impact guard, but manufacturers will not issue replacement labels, resulting in an inability for motor carriers to comply with the safety regulation. CVSA’s petitions request that FMCSA and NHTSA remove the labeling requirement from both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, respectively.

CVSA Sends Letter to HDMA and TTMA on SAE J2899 Brake Adjustment Limit for Air Brake Actuators
Also on March 13, 2019, CVSA sent a letter to the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Truck Trailer Manufactures Association (TTMA) asking them to encourage the use of the SAE J2899 brake adjustment limits for brake actuators, a new standard for marking air brake chambers with pushrod stroke ratings and adjustment limits. Widespread adoption of this standard would help make sure that air brakes are adjusted and inspected properly.