Regulatory Update – February 6, 2026

February 6, 2026

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

PHMSA Requests Comments on Transporting Hazardous Materials Using Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles
On Feb. 2, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)  comments on the safety risks, operational challenges and regulatory considerations associated with transporting hazardous materials using heavy-duty electric vehicles compared to internal combustion engine motor carriers. Comments are due by May 4.

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On Feb. 2, PHMSA published updates on special permit applications:

PHMSA Requests Comments on Seven ICRs
On Jan. 30, PHMSA  comments on seven information collection requests (ICR) pertaining to hazardous materials transportation. Comments are due by March 31.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Non-Domiciled CDL Records ICR
On Jan. 30, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  comments on the Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Records ICR, which covers the collection and retention of the documentation provided to a state driver’s licensing agency during the application process for a non-domiciled commercial learner’s permit or CDL. Comments are due by March 2.

PHMSA Requests Comments on Transportation of Hazardous Materials Integral to Spacecraft Payloads or Components ANPRM
On Jan. 29, PHMSA  comments on the advanced noticed of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on opportunities to amend requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations as they relate to the transportation of hazardous materials integral to spacecraft payloads or components. Comments are due by April 29.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Denies CloudTrucks LLC Application for Exemption
On Feb. 6, FMCSA  CloudTrucks LLC’s request for an exemption from certain requirements of the application for employment regulations.

FMCSA Denies Colorado Huntsman Transport Inc. Application for Exemption
On Feb. 6, FMCSA  Colorado Huntsman Transport Inc.’s application for exemption from the commercial motor vehicle marking requirements and provisions of the hours-of-service regulations.

FMCSA Requests Comments on CVSA’s Request to Extend Paper Copy of Medical Examiner’s Certificate Waiver
On Feb. 5, FMCSA  comments on CVSA’s , which FMCSA is treating as an application for exemption, to allow motor carriers and drivers to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of the driver’s medical certification until the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration (NRII) final rule is fully implemented in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Comments are due by March 9.

FMCSA Requests Comments on ATA Minimum Age for Drivers Exemption Application
On Jan. 28, FMCSA  comments on the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) application for a five-year exemption to allow motor carriers that previously participated in FMCSA’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program, which ended on Nov. 7, 2025, to continue onboarding and training drivers under the age of 21. Comments are due by Feb. 27.

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.

Other Items of Interest

FMCSA Publishes Answers to FAQ on English Language Proficiency Enforcement Policy
On Feb. 3, FMCSA  answers to FAQ on the English language proficiency enforcement policy. The questions were presented in a CVSA Training Committee meeting in September 2025.

PHMSA Releases ‘Hazardous Matters’ Newsletter
On Jan. 26, PHMSA  a double edition of its quarterly “Hazardous Materials” newsletter which covers October 2025 to March 2026.