Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations
FMCSA Requests Comments on Training Certification for Drivers of Longer Combination Vehicles ICR
On Dec. 19, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested comments on the Training Certification for Drivers of Longer Combination Vehicle information collection request (ICR), which relates to requirements for drivers to be certified to operate longer combination vehicles. Comments are due by Feb. 17, 2026.
FMCSA Publishes Revisions to the NHMRR
On Dec. 8, FMCSA published revisions to the National Hazardous Materials Route Registry (NHMRR) reported to FMCSA from April 1, 2024, through March 31. The NHMRR is a listing of all designated and restricted roads and preferred highway routes for transportation of highway route-controlled quantities of Class 7 radioactive materials and non-radioactive hazardous materials The revisions were effective Dec. 8.
Update on Exemptions
FMCSA Provisionally Renews AAR and ASLRRA HOS Exemption, Requests Comments
On Dec. 19, FMCSA announced the provisional renewal of the exemption requested by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and requested comments on the application for renewal. The renewal provides exemption from various hours-of-service (HOS) requirements. Under the exemption, railroad workers responding to unplanned events are permitted to extend the 14-hour duty period to 17 hours and the 60/70 hours on duty in a seven/eight-day work week by up to six hours. The provisional renewal of the exemption is effective from Dec. 18 through June 18, 2026. Comments are due by Jan. 20, 2026.
FMCSA Requests Comments on Hulcher HOS Exemption Application
On Dec. 17, FMCSA requested comments on Hulcher Services Inc.’s (Hulcher) application for a limited exemption from the HOS requirements for drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMV) which would enable its employees to respond to railroad emergencies that occur outside of, or extend beyond, their normal work hours. Comments are due by Jan. 16, 2026.
FMCSA Requests Comments on Wilson Logistics CDL Exemption
On Dec. 10, FMCSA requested comments on Wilson Logistics application for renewal of the exemption that would allow commercial learner’s permit holders who have passed the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test but have not yet obtained the CDL document to operate a CMV without having a CDL holder in the passenger seat. Comments are due by Jan. 9, 2026.
FMCSA Denies Northern Clearing Inc. HOS Exemption
On Dec. 9, FMCSA denied the application from Northern Clearing Inc. requesting an exemption from the HOS maximum driving time limits for drivers of property-carrying CMVs.
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.
Other Items of Interest
FMCSA Removes Three Devices from List of Registered ELDs
On Dec. 8, FMCSA removed the following electronic logging devices (ELD) from its list of registered ELDs and placed them on the revoked ELDs list due to the providers’ failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Part 395, Subpart B, Appendix A.
- PSS ELD by Pioneer Safety Solutions LLC (ELD Identifier: PRS271)
- Black Bear ELD by Black Bear ELD (ELD Identifier: BRS254)
- RT ELD Plus – ACCURATE ELITE by Rollingtrans (ELD Identifier: RTEL47)
Motor carriers and drivers were instructed to discontinue using the revoked devices listed above and revert to paper logs or other logging software to record required hours-of-service data. The revoked ELDs must be replaced with compliant ELDs from the registered ELDs list before Feb. 7, 2026.
Motor carriers and drivers that use the revoked ELDs listed above on or after the respective dates will be in violation of § 395.8(a)(1) – “No Record of Duty Status” and will be placed out of service in accordance with CVSA’s North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.