Regulatory Update – May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Requests Comments on ELD Vendor Registration ICR
On May 19, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  comments on the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Vendor Registration information collection request (ICR), which allows ELD vendors to register their ELDs with the agency. Comments are due by July 15.

U.S. DOT Requests Comments on Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance and Enforcement Procedures NPRM
On May 16, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)  comments on the Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance and Enforcement Procedures notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposes to reinstate and expound upon procedural reforms for the U.S. DOT’ s rulemakings, guidance documents and enforcement actions rescinded by a final rule published by the department on April 2, 2021, “ Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance and Enforcement Procedures.” Comments are due by June 16.

U.S. DOT Requests Nominations for U.S. DOT Advisory Board
On May 16, the U.S. DOT  nominations for the U.S. DOT Advisory Board, which is intended to provide strategic vision and high-level guidance to modernize and enhance U.S. transportation systems. Nominations are due by June 2.

PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On June 26, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:

PHMSA Requested Comments on LNG ANPRM
On April 29, PHMSA  comments on an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to update regulations for liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, fast-track new LNG infrastructure projects, expand domestic export capacity and grow the small-scale LNG market. Comments are due by July 7.

Update on Exemptions

FMCSA Renews DECS Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Pre-Employment Screening Exemption
On May 20, FMCSA  the approval of an exemption request from DISA Entertainment Compliance Solutions (DECS), allowing DECS member companies to only perform a limited query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before hiring employees for safety-sensitive functions. The exemption is effective May 28, 2025, through May 28, 2030.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Northern Clearing HOS Exemption
On May 12, FMCSA  comments on Northern Clearing Inc.’ s (Northern Clearing) application for an exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) maximum driving time limits for drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles. Comments are due by June 11.

FMCSA Requests Comments on USCHI CDL Exemption Renewal
On May 22, FMCSA  comments on the U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc. (USCHI) request for renewal of the exemption that allows custom harvester drivers with a “K” restriction on their CDL to operate in interstate commerce. Comments are due by June 11.

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 Opens Grant Applications for High Priority Program
On May 21, FMCSA  grant applications for the High Priority Program, including the High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant Program, the High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Grant Program and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program. Grant applications are due by June 20.

PHMSA Opens Hazardous Materials Safety Grant Applications
On May 20, PHMSA  grant applications for programs in its pipeline and hazardous materials safety programs. Available funding opportunities include the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program, the Hazardous Materials Instructor Training Grant Program, the Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training Grant Program and the Community Safety Grant Program.

FMCSA Issues Updated English Language Proficiency Enforcement Guidance Memo
On May 20, FMCSA  on enforcing the English language proficiency requirements in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 391.11(b)(2). Pursuant to the , the CVSA Board of Directors voted to add non-compliance with  to the , effective June 25.

FMCSA Removes Eight Devices from List of Registered ELDs
On May 12, FMCSA  the following Gorilla Fleet Safety LLC ELDs 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.

  • AllwaysTrack (ELD Identifier: ATN001)
  • Command Alkon Trackit (ELD Identifier: CATT01)
  • ELDX (ELD Identifier: ELDX03)
  • Gorilla Safety Compact ELD (ELD Identifier: GS0002)
  • HCSS ELD (ELD Identifier: ELDH01)
  • LB Technologies FleetTrack HOS (ELD Identifier: FTHOS1)
  • Simplex ELD 2GO (ELD Identifier: SIM001)
  • Trucker Path ELD Pro (ELD Identifier: TPPro2)

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  before July 11.

Motor carriers and drivers that use the revoked ELDs listed above on or after July 11 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.