Regulatory Update – December 5, 2025

December 5, 2025

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On Dec. 5, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

PHMSA Requests Comments on the Safe Transportation of Hazardous Materials Using Highly Automated Transportation Systems
On Dec. 4, PHMSA  comments on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking for potential revisions to the Hazardous Materials Regulations to facilitate the safe transportation of hazardous materials using highly automated transportation systems. Comments are due by March 4, 2026.

NHTSA Denies MCI Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
On Dec. 3, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  a petition for decision of inconsequential noncompliance from Motor Coach Industries Inc. (MCI), which determined that certain model year (MY) 1988-2022 MCI coaches do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 205, Glazing Materials.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces ICR
On Nov. 28, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  comments on its Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces information collection request (ICR), which collects responses from truck drivers about their experiences finding truck parking spaces, to estimate the monetary benefits of creating new truck parking spaces. Comments are due by Jan. 27, 2026.

NHTSA Requests Comments on STE Hackney Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
On Nov. 28, NHTSA  comments on the petition for decision of inconsequential noncompliance from ST Engineering Hackney Inc. (STE Hackney), which determined that certain MY 2015-2022 Kidron refrigerated van trailers do not fully comply with FMVSS No. 223, Rear Impact Guards. Comments are due by Dec. 29.

NHTSA Grants Two MNA Petitions for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
On Nov. 28, NHTSA granted the petition for decision of inconsequential noncompliance from Michelin North America Inc. (MNA), which determined that certain  and  do not fully comply with FMVSS No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds), Specialty Tires and Tires for Motorcycles.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Renews SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Load 30-Minute Rest Break Exemption
On Dec. 4, FMCSA  its final decision to renew the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association’s (SC&RA) exemption for the transportation of loads that exceed normal weight and dimensional limits. The exemption applies to all oversize/overweight permitted loads whose drivers are not required to comply with the 30-minute rest break rule. The exemption is effective June 17, 2025, through June 17, 2030.

FMCSA Renews CMV Marking Requirement Exemption
On Dec. 2, FMCSA  the renewal of a joint exemption request from Adirondack Transit Lines Inc., Pine Hill Kingston Bus Corp. and Passenger Bus Corp., allowing their passenger carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to operate without the required display of the motor carrier name and USDOT number. The exemption is effective Nov. 28 through May 28, 2030.

FMCSA Denies NPGA HOS Exemption Request
On Dec. 2, FMCSA  its decision to deny the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) application for an exemption from various hours-of-service (HOS) requirements between Dec. 15 and March 15 each year. CVSA  comments in opposition to the exemption request.

FMCSA Denies Protein Transport HOS Exemption Request
On Dec. 2, FMCSA  its decision to deny Protein Transport of Indiana LLC’s (Protein Transport) request for an exemption from the HOS regulations.

FMCSA Requests Comments on IMAMS Warning Devices Exemption Application
On Dec. 1, FMCSA  comments on the application for a five-year exemption submitted by Intelligent Motorist Alert Messaging Systems (IMAMS), which would exempt autonomous CMVs from the regulation that requires the use of traditional warning devices to alert other vehicles when the CMV has become disabled. The exemption would allow autonomous CMVs to use IMAMS dynamic digital LED messaging platform as an alternative to traditional warning devices. FMCSA requests public comment on IMAMS’s application. Comments are due by Dec. 31.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Agri-Tech Aviation’s CLP Exemption Application
On Nov. 24, FMCSA  comments on Agri-Tech Aviation Inc.’s application for an exemption to allow its commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who have passed the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test but not yet obtained a CDL to drive its CMVs without being accompanied by a CDL holder in the passenger seat. Comments are due by Dec. 24.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Project Gap CDL and ELD Exemption Application
On Nov. 24, FMCSA  comments on the application from Project Gap for exemptions from the CDL and electronic logging device (ELD) regulations. Comments are due by Dec. 24.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Atlantic Exhaust System Exemption Application
On Nov. 24, FMCSA  comments on the application for a five-year exemption submitted by Atlantic Aviation Orlando LLC (Atlantic) for an exemption from Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 393.83(e), which requires the exhaust system on certain CMVs to discharge at or near the rear of the cab. The exemption would allow Atlantic’s jet-fueler trucks to discharge exhaust forward of the cab when operating on public roads. Comments are due by Dec. 24.

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