The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that the agency is seeking public input during the next 60 days on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that would require states to establish a program for annual inspections of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) designed or used to transport passengers (e.g., motorcoaches, school buses, mini-buses, 9-15 passenger vans, etc.). 

FMCSA plans to assess the risks associated with improperly maintained or inspected passenger-carrying CMVs by reviewing the effectiveness of existing federal inspection standards that are applicable to these types of vehicles, and considering the costs and benefits of having a mandatory inspection. 

FMCSA encourages parties with knowledge of the industry and existing state inspection programs to provide information about the impact that such a rule would have on current regulations, operating costs, business practices, safety, and any other areas that would be affected by a rule requiring states to establish inspection programs. 

Click here to read the ANPRM and provide comments.