Tag: FMCSA: Page 6

Business

Tanker organization wants FMCSA to allow pulsating brake lights on all tanker trailers

National Tank Truck Carriers wants the Groendyke exemption to apply to all tanker trailers, while also giving the option for a red pulsating light instead of just amber. NTTC’s request also asks that FMCSA allow the pulsating light to be installed in either the upper center or an upper dual outboard position.

October 2, 2019

Business

FMCSA grants HOS relief to truckers hauling food, water for firefighters responding to disasters

The drivers can extend their on-duty time from 14 hours to 16 hours, while still driving a maximum of 11 hours in a day. They can also use on-duty, not-driving time to satisfy the 30-minute break requirement under the terms of the exemption.

October 1, 2019

Business

FMCSA officially adopts rules requiring background checks for hazmat CDL endorsement

The finalization of these interim final rules has no bearing on current drivers or carriers, as the rules have been in place since 2003 and 2005, respectively. The rules require drivers to undergo a TSA background check or hold a TWIC in order to receive a hazmat endorsement on their CDL.

September 30, 2019

Business

Report: Plan to overhaul CSA scoring faces major hurdles

FMCSA’s plan to rework its Compliance, Safety, Accountability safety scoring program overall is sound, but potential major challenges could impede the agency’s ability to implement its plan and to shore up CSA’s ability to accurately assess carriers’ safety performance.

September 27, 2019

Voices

POLL: Have you filed a coercion complaint under the rule protecting drivers?

Proposed in tandem with the ELD mandate, the prohibition against entities coercing or attempting to coerce drivers to violate a regulation with threats of punitive action (withholding work/payment, disciplinary measures, and the like) has been active since early 2016. Have you ever filed a complaint with FMCSA under the rule?

September 26, 2019

Electronic Logging Devices

Goodbye, AOBRD: Shifting loyalties, yard moves and other challenges

Considering options with any ELD provider when making an upgrade from AOBRD technology can involve much more than just the basic differences between regulatory requirements of AOBRDs and ELDs — many devices come with a host of ancillary functions. Also: More on yard moves, edits and other new challenges.

September 23, 2019

Hours of Service

Drivers, carriers offer mixed reactions to proposed hours changes

Many comments already submitted agree with the proposed changes, while others think it will allow carriers to extend drivers’ working day by three hours. Other commenters mostly agree with the changes but would prefer more flexibility with the 30-minute break and the sleeper berth split.

September 20, 2019

Hours of Service

Comment period for proposed hours of service overhaul extended through Oct. 21

FMCSA announced in a Federal Register notice to be published Thursday, Sept. 19, it has extended the comment period from Oct. 7 to Oct. 21. The 14-day extension effectively gives the hours proposal a 60-day comment period from the time it was published Aug. 22.

September 18, 2019

Electronic Logging Devices

Goodbye, AOBRD: ELDs’ final shift

90 days out from the ELD mandate’s final Dec. 17 deadline, many fleets and one-truck owner-operators with authority are delaying the transition from AOBRD-spec technology. ELD providers are hopeful for new customers among the small percentages of truckers switching providers during the transition.

September 17, 2019

Business

Trucking rap sheet: Another guilty plea stemming from disabling emissions control devices, CDL schemes, more

Action in five trucking-related crimes – including Clean Air Act violations, CDL testing schemes, defrauding FMCSA and a reincarnated carrier – has recently been reported by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.

September 12, 2019

Hours of Service

34-hour restart regs rebuffed by Congress in 2014 officially nixed from rulebook

The regulations, which have not been enforced since December 2014, limited truck drivers to one restart per week and required the restart to include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods. Those regulations were suspended by Congress in December 2014, though they technically remained on the books.

September 11, 2019

Overdrive Extra

Confusion over ‘relaxed’ regs and rested drivers

It gets worse when those outside of trucking presume safety performance goes up or down in lockstep with changes in cherry-picked numbers. This led, for example, to widespread reports that the proposal would “relax” existing regulations, thereby automatically increasing fatigue.

September 6, 2019