Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Publishes Final Rule on Removing the Requirement to Return Inspection Reports
On June 22, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a final rule to remove the requirement that motor carriers and intermodal equipment providers sign and return a completed roadside inspection form to the issuing state agency. Through this change, completed forms will only be returned to those states that request them. The final rule is in response to a petition for rulemaking from CVSA. The final rule is effective July 22.

FMCSA Publishes Final Rule on Removal of Self-Reporting Requirement
On June 22, FMCSA published a final rule to remove the requirement of commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to self-report motor vehicle violations to their state of domicile. The final rule is effective July 22.

FMCSA Publishes Final Rule on Removal of ELD Operator’s Manual Requirement
On June 22, FMCSA published a final rule to remove the requirement for a copy of the electronic logging device (ELD) operator’s manual to be kept in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The final rule is effective July 22.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Techniques for Preventing and Enforcing Controlled Substance and Alcohol Violations Among Non-CDL CMV Drivers ICR
On June 22, FMCSA requested comments on the Techniques for Preventing and Enforcing Controlled Substance and Alcohol Violations Among Non-CDL CMV Drivers information collection request (ICR), which will collect data to assess ways to address controlled substance and alcohol violations among non-CDL CMV drivers and improve abilities to prevent, detect and enforce these violations. Comments are due by Aug. 21.

UCR Plan Requests Nominations to Board of Directors
On June 1, the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan Board of Directors requested nominations of qualified individuals from the motor carrier industry for appointment by FMCSA to the UCR Plan Board of Directors. The selected individual will fill a current vacancy with a term that will begin immediately on appointment and expire on May 31, 2027. Nominations are due by Aug. 10.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Provisionally Renews AAR and ASLRRA HOS Exemption
On June 24, FMCSA announced the provisional renewal of an exemption request from the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) for exemption from various hours-of-service (HOS) requirements. Under the exemption, railroad workers responding to unplanned events are permitted to extend the 14-hour on-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 exemption is effective June 19 through Oct. 19.

FMCSA Requests Comments on APA HOS Exemption
On June 18, FMCSA requested comments on the American Pyrotechnics Association’s (APA) application requesting extension of its current exemptions from the HOS regulations to one new APA member, North Star Fireworks LLC. Comments are due by July 20.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Virginia DMV Application for Exemption
On June 17, FMCSA requested comments on the application of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for an exemption from the CDL requirements to permit Virginia to extend the validity of CDLs and commercial learner’s permits during state-declared emergencies. Comments are due by July 17.

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 TRUCKSTAFF ELD from List of Registered ELDs
On June 23, FMCSA removed TRUCKSTAFF ELD by Truckstaff ELD (ELD Identifier: TRS227) from its list of registered ELDs and placed it on the revoked ELDs list due to the provider’s failure to meet the minimum requirements established in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 395, Subpart B, Appendix A.

Motor carriers and drivers were instructed to discontinue using the revoked device and revert to paper logs or other logging software to record required hours-of-service data. The revoked ELD must be replaced with a compliant ELD from the registered ELDs list before Aug. 23. Motor carriers and drivers that use the TRUCKSTAFF ELD on or after Aug. 23 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.