Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

UCR Announces Upcoming Meeting
On Aug. 29, the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan announced an upcoming board of directors meeting in which the board will continue its work in developing and implementing the UCR Plan and Agreement. The meeting will take place virtually on Sept. 4, and advance registration is required.

FMCSA Requests Comments on the Crash Causal Factors Program: Heavy-Duty Truck Study Data Collection ICR
On Aug. 28, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested comments on the Crash Causal Factors Program: Heavy-Duty Truck Study Data Collection information collection request (ICR). The ICR will collect data from the state jurisdictions that were identified as part of a nationally representative study sample of fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks. Comments are due by Oct. 27.

U.S. DOT Extends Comment Period for Surface Transportation Reauthorization RFI
On Aug. 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) extended the comment period on the request for information (RFI) in preparation for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Comments are now due by Sept. 8.

U.S. DOT Requests Comments on ADS Transportation Technology Deployment
On Aug. 18, the U.S. DOT requested information to inform coordinated national research supporting automated driving systems (ADS) transportation technology deployment and realizing safe and efficient operations on the nation’s roadways. Comments are due by Oct. 17.

PHMSA Releases Interpretation Related to Emergency Discharge Equipment
On Aug. 12, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released a clarification to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) in response to a question on emergency discharge control equipment for liquefied compressed gas in cargo tank motor vehicles. PHMSA shared that the phrase “all motive and auxiliary power equipment” in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 173.315(n)(3) refers only to the vehicle’s engine and the equipment that is directly responsible for operating the vehicles product transfer system – not all electrical power to the vehicle.

PHMSA Releases Interpretation Related to DOT Specification Motor Carrier 331 Cargo Tanks
On Aug. 7, PHMSA released a clarification to the HMRs in response to multiple questions on the minimum thickness for DOT specification motor carrier 331 cargo tanks. PHMSA shared answers to each of the questions in the interpretation.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Requests Comments on ESS Exemption
On Aug. 26, FMCSA requested comments on an application for exemption from Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS). The exemption would allow commercial motor vehicles to operate with a module manufactured by ESS which pulses the rear clearance, identification and brake lamps from a standard lower-level lighting intensity to a higher-level lighting intensity when activated during emergency stops or breakdowns. Comments are due by Sept. 25.

FMCSA Requests Comments on NTTC Rear Lamp Exemption Renewal Application
On Aug. 25, FMCSA requested comments on an application from the National Tank Truck Carriers Inc. (NTTC) for a renewal of its exemption allowing motor carriers operating tank trailers to install a red or amber brake-activated pulsating lamp positioned in the upper center position or in an upper dual outboard position on the rear of the trailers, in addition to the steady-burning brake lamps required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Comments are due by Sept. 24.

FMCSA Modifies Waiver for Use of Paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate
On Aug. 21, FMCSA modified its temporary waiver to allow commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders and motor carriers to rely on the paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of the driver’s medical certification for up to 60 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate was issued. The initial waiver, issued on July 14, allowed CDL holders, CLP holders and motor carriers to continue relying on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of medical certification for up to 15 days after the certificate was issued.

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions issued by FMCSA. The exemption tracker can be found at www.cvsa.org under the “Inspections” tab at the top of the page.