Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations
PHMSA Publishes Updates on Special Permits
On Oct. 10, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published updates on special permit applications:
- List of Applications for Special Permits – Comments are due by Nov. 12.
- List of Applications for Modification of Special Permits – Comments are due by Oct. 25.
- Notice of Actions on Special Permit Applications – Comments are due by Nov. 12.
NHTSA Denies Blue Bird Petition of Inconsequential Noncompliance
On Oct. 10, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied Blue Bird Body Company’s (Blue Bird) petition on inconsequential noncompliance, stating that certain model year (MY) 2019-2024 Blue Bird Vision and MY 2020-2024 Blue Bird All American school buses do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 217, Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release.
PHMSA Publishes Enforcement Discretion Document Regarding Cylinders
On Oct. 4, PHMSA published a notice that it will not take enforcement action against any person for filling a DOT-specification cylinder used to transport Division 2.2 (non-flammable) gas that is overdue for periodic requalification by not more than 12 months. Any such cylinder must meet all other requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations. This notice of enforcement discretion will expire on Dec. 3.
PHMSA Announces Upcoming Hazardous Materials Transportation Seminar
On Oct. 2, PHMSA announced that its Office of Hazardous Materials Safety will hold a free Hazardous Materials Transportation Seminar from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. The seminar will be a three-day in-person event with a broad focus on outreach and engagement with PHMSA’s stakeholders. Advanced registration is required.
Update on Exemptions
FMCSA Renews Alaska CDL Exemption
On Oct. 1, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) renewed the exemption granted to the state of Alaska from the limitations imposed by the commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations on the state’s ability to issue restricted CDLs. The exemption renewal allows the state to waive specified portions of the CDL skills test for drivers who reside and operate in 14 defined geographic areas that lack the infrastructure to allow completion of the full skills test. Drivers who receive a restricted CDL under the provisions of the renewed exemption are also exempt from the entry-level driver training regulations. The exemption is effective Dec. 30, 2024, through Dec. 30, 2029.
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
PHMSA Publishes October Hazardous Matters Newsletter
Hazardous Matters is PHMSA’s quarterly newsletter for hazardous materials safety. Every quarter, this publication consolidates timely information on the latest rulemaking activities, upcoming workshops and webinars, newest publications, and other highlights from PHMSA’s current safety initiatives. The current version was published on Oct. 3.