Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations
PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On March 26, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:
- List of Applications for Special Permits – Comments are due by April 25.
- List of Applications for Modification of Special Permits – Comments are due by April 10.
- Notice of Actions on Special Permit Applications – Comments are due by April 25.
NHTSA Requests Comments on Mack Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
On March 24, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requested comments on Mack Trucks Inc.’s (Mack) petition for decision of inconsequential noncompliance. Mack has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017-2026 Mack Pinnacle and MY 2017-2019 Mack CHU trucks do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, Air Brake Systems. Comments are due by April 23.
Update on Exemptions
FMCSA Requests Comments on Huntsman Transport Application for Exemption
On March 28, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested comments on the application from Colorado Huntsman Transport Inc. (Huntsman Transport) for an exemption from the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) marking requirements and hours of service prohibition against driving a CMV after accumulating 60 hours of on-duty time within seven consecutive days. Comments are due by April 28.
FMCSA Requests Comments on DECS Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Pre-Employment Screening Exemption Renewal Application
On March 25, FMCSA requested comments on an application from DISA Entertainment Compliance Solutions (DECS), formerly known as Motion Picture Compliance Solutions, to renew its exemption from the requirement that an employer must not employ a driver who is subject to drug and alcohol testing to perform safety-sensitive functions prior to conducting a full query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse on behalf of its members that employ commercial driver’s license holders. Comments are due by April 24.
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
Derek Barrs Nominated to Serve as FMCSA Administrator
On March 24, Derek Barrs was nominated to be administrator of FMCSA. CVSA subsequently expressed its full support for the nomination of Barrs.