Update on Relevant Mexican Regulations
SICT Authorizes Provisional Permit to Circulate Without License Plates on Federal Roads and Bridges
On Oct. 7, Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), through the Director General of Federal Motor Transport, published a notice authorizing the temporary use of a “Provisional Permit to Circulate Without Plates or Decal” for vehicles operating under the Federal Motor Transportation Service on Federal Roads and Bridges. This provisional measure, valid for up to 180 calendar days from its issuance, is intended to ensure the continuous provision of transport services while the official metal identification plates are being delivered. The permit must be visible, legible, and include a QR code with the vehicle’s registration data for legal certainty and administrative control. The permit is a temporary administrative measure and holds the same legal validity as the metallic plate during its term.
Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations
U.S. DOT Requests Comments on Update to Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs NPRM
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requested comments on the update to the Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) which would update terminology in U.S. DOT’s drug and alcohol testing regulations consistent with Executive Order 14168. Comments are due by Nov. 15.
FMCSA Announces Updates to NCCDB, Requests Comments
On Oct. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the renaming, updating and reissuing of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB). FMCSA is modernizing the system and expanding the program to enhance the agency’s ability to collect, monitor and respond to complaints about agency programs; establish reasonable procedures to provide timely responses; and share complaint information with external stakeholders and the public, as necessary and applicable. The modified system became effective Oct. 1, and comments are due by Oct. 31.
PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On Sept. 30, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:
- List of Applications for Special Permits – Comments are due by Oct. 30.
- List of Applications for Modification of Special Permits – Comments are due by Oct. 15.
FMCSA Publishes Interim Final Rule on Non-Domiciled CDLs, Requests Comments
On Sept. 29, FMCSA published an interim final rule and requested comments on the rulemaking to restrict eligibility for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and commercial learner’s permits (CLP). The interim final rule is effective Sept. 29, and comments are due by Nov. 28.
On Oct. 2, FMCSA issued a correction to the amendatory instructions of the interim final rule. The correction was effective on Oct. 2.
PHMSA Releases Interpretation Related to Hazardous Materials Information on Shipping Papers
On Sept. 12, PHMSA released a clarification to the Hazardous Materials Regulations in response to multiple questions on the proper display of hazardous material information on a shipping paper. PHMSA shared answers to each of the questions in the interpretation.
Update on Exemptions
FMCSA Extends Waiver for Use of Paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate
On Oct. 9, FMCSA issued a notice extending its waiver from certain regulations applicable to interstate CDL holders, CLP holders and motor carriers to allow them to continue to rely on a paper copy of the medical examiner’s certificate as proof of the driver’s medical certification for up to 60 days after the date the medical examiner’s certificate was issued. The waiver is effective Oct. 13-Jan. 10, 2026.
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.