Regulatory Update - January 5, 2024

Update on Relevant U.S. Regulations

FMCSA Publishes Correction to Final Rule Making General Corrections and Amendments to the FMCSR

On Jan. 5, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published (PDF) corrections to the Nov. 17, 2023, final rule (PDF) which amended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) with minor changes and technical corrections. The changes include correcting a paragraph number and updating terminology based on a change in the Nov. 17, 2023, final rule. The corrections take effect on Jan. 5.

FMCSA Announces Upcoming Truck Leasing Task Force Meeting
On Jan. 2, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced (PDF) (opens in a new tab) a virtual meeting of the Truck Leasing Task Force. The meeting will take place on Jan. 18. Advance registration (opens in a new tab) is required.

U.S. DOT Issues Final Rule Adjusting Civil Penalty Amounts
On Dec. 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued (PDF) (opens in a new tab) a final rule noticing the statutorily prescribed 2024 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain U.S. DOT regulations. The final rule became effective on Dec. 28, 2023.

FMCSA Announces Upcoming Public Meeting on Registration System Modernization
On Dec. 26, 2023, FMCSA announced (PDF) (opens in a new tab) a public, in-person meeting to engage stakeholders, including motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, insurance companies, financial institutions, process agents, blanket companies and third-party service providers, and get their perspective on improving the registration experience with FMCSA. The meeting will take place on Jan. 17. Advance registration (opens in a new tab) is required.

FMCSA Requests Comments on Petitions for Waiver of Preemption Determinations to California and Washington MRB Rules
On Dec. 26, 2023, FMCSA requested (PDF) (opens in a new tab) comments on petitions requesting waivers of the agency’s Dec. 21, 2018, and Jan. 13, 2020, decisions preempting the state of California’s meal and rest break (MRB) rules for certain drivers of property and passenger carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and its Nov. 17, 2020, decision preempting the state of Washington’s MRB rules for certain drivers of property carrying CMVs. Waiver petitions (opens in a new tab) were filed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Truck Safety Coalition, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, and Parents Against Tired Truckers; William B. Trescott; and the state of California. Comments are due by Feb. 26.

Update on Exemptions

CVSA Active Exemption Tracker
CVSA maintains a list of active exemptions (opens in a new tab) issued by FMCSA. The exemption tracker can be found at cvsa.org under the “Inspections” tab at the top of the page.