What's New
In this section you will find the most recent news related to the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as updates.
Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 Listening Sessions Final Report
Intelligent Transportation Systems and Truck Parking
FMCSA Proposes Rulemaking To Address Truckers' Hours-of-Service Regulations; Invites Public Comments
Brokers of Household Goods By Motor Carrier
FMCSA Registration - New Feature Added to SAFER
2005 TRB R&T Forum Announcement
Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 Initiative Begins with 'Listening'
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
FMCSA-2000-8203; 69 FR 64810.
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
FMCSA-2004-19477; 69 FR 64806.
Financial and Operating Statistics Reporting
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
FMCSA-2004-18885; 69 FR 53493.
Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours-of-Service Compliance
Statement by Annette M. Sandberg, Administrator, FMCSA: FMCSA Files for Stay on HOS Action
FMCSA
to Require Special Safety Permit For Carriers of Highly Hazardous Materials
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
DataQs
System
What is DataQs?
View HTML File - View
PDF File
To file a challenge to data FMCSA releases to the public, please access
the DataQs system at http://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov
Enhancing
Heavy Truck Safety, Security and Efficiency Through Technology:
An SAE Symposium - December 1-2, 2004
This timely symposium will address important issues facing
the heavy vehicle industry today and the cutting edge technologies
available to promote safety, ensure security and enhance
efficiency. Presenters from industry and government will
discuss various technologies related to engine control,
vehicle/trailer/cargo tracking, communications, driver-vehicle
interaction and efficient movement of freight. Visit the
SAE's Web site to find out more. http://www.sae.org/events/symposia/heavytruck/
Parts
and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Fuel Systems;
Final rule; RIN 2126-AA80; Docket FMCSA-02-13589; (69 FR 31302); The
FMCSA revises the requirements concerning fuel tank fill rates for gasoline-
and methanol-fueled light-duty vehicles contained in Subpart E of the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
View
HTML File - View
PDF File
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
Notice of final disposition; FMCSA-2004-17195; 69 FR 31447;
The FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 29 individuals
from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
View
HTML File - View
PDF File
Reward Offered in Poison Letter Case
A&I
Online Releases New NAFTA Safety Stats Module
Sandberg Sworn in as New FMCSA Administrator
New
Hours-of-Service Rules
Important Information for Those that Presently
Operate on the U.S. Border
Recent History of Mexican Motor Carriers Entry into the U.S.
Please check this section frequently to obtain the latest information.
FMCSA
Proposes Rulemaking To Address Truckers' Hours-of-Service Regulations;
Invites Public Comments
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration is reexamining the 2003 Hours-of-Service rule that regulates
the amount of time commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published by the Federal
Register on Monday, January 24, 2005, and is available at http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/p80/312470.pdf.
Responses to the questions posed in the NPRM are encouraged. The comment
period closes March 10, 2005.
Important for those that presently operate on the U.S. Border
Application Process
The application process represents the first phase in a carrier's efforts
to obtain a Certificate of Registration to operate within the border
commercial zones. To successfully complete the application process,
a carrier must correctly complete and file the OP-2 application package,
accompanied by an application fee.
Mexico-domiciled carriers that currently hold Certificates of Registration for commercial zone operation must re-apply with the FMCSA by October 20, 2003 in order to continue these operations. Carriers re-applying for a permanent Certificate of Registration will not be required to pay the $300 application fee.
Important Information for Those Mexican Motor Carriers that Presently have Authorization to Operate beyond the Municipalities along the United States-Mexico Border and beyond the Commercial Zones.
Mexico-domiciled carriers
that currently hold Certificates of Registration issued before April
18, 2002, authorizing operations beyond the municipalities along the
United States-Mexico border and beyond the commercial zones, must file
an OP-1 (MX) by November 4, 2003 in order to continue these operations.
You do not need to submit a fee when you file an application under this
subpart (365. Subpart E).
The FMCSA may suspend or revoke the Certificate of Registration of any
applicable holder that fails to comply with the procedures set forth
in this section. Certificates of Registration issued before April 18,
2002, will remain valid until the FMCSA acts on the OP-1(MX) application.
Recent History of Mexican Motor Carriers Entry into the U.S.
On November 27, 2002, the President modified the moratorium on granting operating authority to Mexico-based motor carriers. This Presidential action means that Mexican truck and regular-route bus service in the U.S. interior (beyond the commercial border zones) could begin pursuant to the applicable rules and procedures issued by FMCSA on March 19, 2002. These rules established: (1) applicable procedures for Mexico-domiciled motor carriers seeking authority to operate in the United States beyond the border commercial zones (49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 368 and 387); (2) safety monitoring procedures for all Mexico-domiciled carriers operating anywhere in the United States (49 CFR Part 365); and (3) procedures for certifying individuals to conduct safety audits and investigations (49 CFR Part 385).
On January 16, 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit found that FMCSA did not complete certain environmental analyses prior to issuing its rules governing the entry of the Mexico-domiciled carriers into the United States. Thus, truck and regular-route bus service in the U.S. interior cannot begin until the legal issues associated with the required environmental analyses are resolved.
While these legal issues are being addressed, FMCSA's development of training materials continues. We are developing training modules to provide more detailed information about the more complex regulatory requirements (e.g., hours of service; controlled substances testing; and hazardous materials). These will be offered in Spanish via the website to Mexican carriers as off-the-shelf training packages and will be distributed to industry associations and educational institutions in Mexico. We also are pursuing discussions with Mexican government officials regarding a full-partnership initiative to educate both Mexican and U.S. motor carriers about our respective requirements.
BE AWARE OF FRAUDULENT INSURANCE There have been situations where motor carriers have been purchasing insurance policies from insurance companies that don't exist. Insurance companies, agents, and brokers must be licensed.
VERIFY YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE AND VERIFY INSURANCE BEFORE PURCHASING.
IN CALIFORNIA:
Telephone: 1-800-927-HELP (4357)
Website : http://www.insurance.ca.gov
IN
ARIZONA:
Telephone: 1-800-325-2548 (Insurance
questions)
(602) 912-8470 (Agent/Broker licensing)
Website : http://www.state.az.us/id/
IN
NEW MEXICO:
Insurance Division – State of
New Mexico
Telephone: 1-800-947-4722
Website : http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us
New Mexico Insurance Fraud Bureau
Telephone: 1-877-807-4010
Website : http://www.stopfraud.org
IN TEXAS:
Telephone: 1-800-252-3439
Website : http://www.tdi.state.tx.us
Brokers
of Household Goods By Motor Carrier
Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM); request for comments
on petition for rulemaking; RIN 2126-AA84; FMCSA-2004-17008; (69 FR
76664). FMCSA seeks comments on whether additional regulations for property
brokers of household goods (HHG) in interstate or foreign commerce are
necessary and, if so, what these regulations should include.
FMCSA
Registration - New Feature Added to SAFER
Beginning January
3, 2005, FMCSA will combine two registration Web sites (http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/OnlineForms.aspx
and http://diy.dot.gov
) in order to provide a more streamlined way for motor carriers, brokers,
freight forwarders, hazardous materials carriers/shippers and cargo
tank facilities to manage their registration process. Users will be
able to file for USDOT number registrations, operating authority (MC/FF/MX
numbers) registrations or update their registrations at one time, in
one place. To access this new registration Web site go to http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
and click on "FMCSA Registration & Updates."
2005
TRB R&T Forum Announcement
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is sponsoring
the 2005 Office of Research and Technology (R&T) Forum titled "FMCSA
R&T: Today and Tomorrow." The Forum is being held on Sunday,
January 9, 2005, in conjunction with the 84th Annual Meeting of the
Transportation Research Board in Salon III at the Marriott Wardman Park
Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008. The Forum will focus
on research and technology being conducted in support of FMCSA's safety
goal - reducing the large truck fatality rate by 41% from 1996 to 2008.
Presenters will speak about current FMCSA R&T projects and elaborate
on the progress of research and technology studies included in FMCSA's
R&T 5-Year Strategic Plan. Question and answer sessions with FMCSA
subject-area experts will be provided.
Speaker topics will include the Large Truck and Bus Crash Causation Studies, Electronic On-Board Recorders, the HazMat Safety and Security Field Operational Test, Vehicle Infrastructure Integration, and Fatigue Management Technologies. Keynote speaker David Osiecki, American Trucking Association's Vice President for Safety and Operations, will discuss current trucking industry safety initiatives in partnership with FMCSA and the role that research and technology is playing to help create a safer, more efficient and secure trucking industry. For additional details, contact Albert Alvarez at 202-385-2387 or email albert.alvarez@fmcsa.dot.gov.
Comprehensive
Safety Analysis 2010 Initiative Begins with 'Listening'
During listening sessions held in September and October, FMCSA stakeholders
provided suggestions and advice on ways to improve the way truck and
bus safety is measured and how such measures can be used to help save
lives. The six sessions were held in locations across the U.S. in support
of The Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 Initiative (CSA-2010) launched
in August 2004. Attendees included representatives from motor carriers,
insurance and safety advocacy groups, traffic enforcement professionals
and the public at-large.
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
Notice of renewal of exemption; request for comments; FMCSA-2000-8203;
69 FR 64810.
This notice publishes the FMCSA decision to renew the exemptions from
the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
for 24 individuals.
Qualification
of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision;
Notice of applications for exemption from the vision standard; request
for comments; FMCSA-2004-19477; 69 FR 64806.
This notice publishes the FMCSA's receipt of applications from 29 individuals
for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations.
Financial
and Operating Statistics Reporting
Any motor carrier of property, household goods, or passengers engaged
in interstate, intrastate, and/or foreign operations and with annual
revenues of $3 million dollars or more must file annual and/or quarterly
reports with the BTS, as required by 49 CFR 1420.